The influence of the water mite species Hydrachna conjecta and H. cruenta (Acari, Hydrachnellae) on the egg production of the Corixidae Sigara striata and Cymatia coleoptrata (Hemiptera)

Summary

H. cruenta larvae, in contrast with H. conjecta larvae, do not grow in the autumn. H. conjecta larvae begin to grow earlier in the spring (beginning of March) than H. cruenta larvae (end of March). The egg production of S. striata is more influenced by H. conjecta than by H. cruenta. No egg production occurs in females of the smaller host, C. coleoptrata.