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Abstract
Reproductive females of Typhlodromus doreenae held at 20°C and 10 h photophase (P) for one month failed to oviposit when exposed to summer-like (25°C/ 15 h P) conditions. Overwintering females were nonreproductive, inactive, aggregative, dorsoventrally flattened, pale colored and showed shelter-seeking behavior. Females sampled during late April to late June (mid autumn to early winter) took 19.4 – 22.3 days to oviposit when held at 25°C/15 h P. Females sampled in late July and late August had significantly shorter preoviposition periods (6.6–13.6 days). Morphological, behavioral and physiological characteristics of overwintering T. doreenae indicate the presence of reproductive diapause. The overwintering biology of T. doreenae is discussed in reference to its role in biological mite control in Australian vineyards.