Feeding, Development and Reproduction

Abstract

Life cycle of different mites and ticks passes through seven developmental stages, namely, eggs, prelarva, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, tritonymph and adult. As with other arthropods, each stage is separated by a moult, and considerable variations in life cycles in different Acari are found. Acarines do not continue to moult once they have reached the adult stage. Comparative variations found in life cycle of different groups particularly in mites and ticks are discussed for better understanding. Differences in feeding activities in mites and ticks are particularly highlighted. Within ticks, feeding habits of hard ticks and soft ticks are reported, and stages in the life cycle passed on a number of hosts and egg laying patterns are explained. Blood feeding pattern and changes in body shape after each feeding are reported. The type of feeding habits of plant feeding mites and the extent to which tissue level they penetrated are noticed causing a variety of damage to the plant. Feeding by spider mites, false spider mites, broad mites and eriophyid mites is particularly reported. Mites exhibit a variety of reproductive strategies in different groups. In several groups of acariform mites, direct insemination is done through an intromittent organ, the aedeagus, in the male. Secondary sexual dimorphism is also found in some groups. Sex determination mechanisms and reproductive modes also vary widely throughout the Acari. Activities like maintenance of water balance and the occurrence of diapause in mites and ticks are reported in good length.