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Abstract
The population dynamics of Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort, a podapolipid parasite of the Colorado potato bettle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) in Mexico; and the milkweed leaf beetle (MLB), Labidomera clivicollis (Kirby) in the U.S. and Canada; was studied in the laboratory and in field cages in Rhode Island. Optimal development and survival occurred at 30° C with a generation time of 14.2 days. Mites collected from the MLB host in R.I. developed more slowly and had poorer survival on the CPB than mites originally collected from the CPB. Dispersal of C. labidomerae (primarily preoviposition females) occurred during beetle copulation and was dependent upon beetle age and temperature. C. labidomerae could survive the winter in Rhode Island.