Feeding rate and egg production in water mites in relationship with temperature

Summary

The effect of temperature on feeding rate and egg production in the water mites Hygrobates longipalpis, Limnesia undulata and Unionicola crassipes was investigated in the laboratory. There is about a four-fold increase in the egg production between 12 and 24 °C. Feeding rate increases 2 to 3 times in this temperature range. At 6 °C the mites are sluggish and inactive.

In U. crassipes, searching and handling time was registered by direct observation. In comparison with 24 °C, searching time is considerably longer at 12 °C, the same holds true for the handling time.