Development of Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae) at different temperatures

The development, viability, and life cycle parameters of Dermanyssus gallinae at five different temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C), and at relative humidity 70–85% were evaluated. Life cycle duration was 690.75 h (28 days) at 15 °C, 263.12 h (11 days) at 20 °C, 164.63 h (7 days) at 25 °C, 140.69 h (6 days) at 30 °C and 172.04 h (7 days) at 35 °C. The optimal development temperature for D. gallinae was 30 °C, with the greatest survival in all stages and the shortest development time. High mortality at 35 °C indicated that this temperature had adverse effects on development of D. gallinae, and that in field conditions D. gallinae populations may decrease or even disappear due to the negative impact of high temperature on development. There were no significant differences in the pre-oviposition period among the four temperatures 20–35 °C, indicating that temperature did not affect this part of the life cycle.