Observations on the Biology of the Lizard Mite Geckobiella texana (Banks) 1904 (Acarina: Pterygosomidae)

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Abstract
The biology of a pterygosomid mite, G. texana. was studied in connection with investigations of the transmission of a saurian haemogregarine in the fence lizard, Sceloporus undulatus undulatus. Colonies of mites were maintained on lizards in the laboratory. Larvae, nymphs, and adult male and female mites fed on blood. Ovi-position in nature was not observed, but in the laboratory no preference was shown among the oviposition sites available. Development of the female, from egg to gravid adult, required from 42 to 86 days. The stages recognized and the time of development in days at 22-29[degree]C were as follows: egg, 6-8; deutovum, 5-8; larva, 9-31; nymphochrysalis, 4-7; nymph, 7-15; imagochrysalis, 4-7; adult female, 7-10 for engorgement. The male omitted the nymph and nymphochrysalis stages. The resting stages developed within the integument of the succeeding active stage.
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