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Issue: Vol. 26 No. 1: 31 Dec. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-12-31
DOI: 10.11646/zoosymposia.26.1.5
Page range: 63-80
Abstract views: 13
PDF downloaded: 1

A survey of lifespan in Stigmaeidae (Trombidiformes: Raphignathoidea)

Bioeconomy Science Institute; 231 Morrin Road; Auckland 1072; New Zealand
Plant Health and Environment Laboratory; Ministry for Primary Industries; Auckland; New Zealand
Acari Prostigmata Raphignathoidea life cycle development longevity free-living mites

Abstract

Stigmaeidae Oudemans is a diverse family of mainly predatory mites of potential ecological and agricultural importance, yet research on their life-history traits has not been comprehensively synthesised. This study provides a comprehensive review of lifespan and longevity across the family, based on a systematic search of the published literature. Thirty-seven studies met the criteria for inclusion, although the available information is strongly taxonomically biased. Nearly all empirical data concern species of Agistemus Summers, with A. exsertus González-Rodríguez accounting for the majority of published estimates of life-history traits. Eight species had reported lifespan and fecundity values, and eleven species had adult longevity data. Across studies conducted at 20–35°C and 48–80% RH, lifespan ranged from 17.1 to 74.8 days and adult longevity from 8.9 to 47.7 days, with fecundity varying from 4.9 to 131.5 eggs. These ranges overlap with those reported for other predatory mite families, although several stigmaeid species exhibit extended lifespans at lower temperatures. Stigmaeids show potential as biological control agents due to their broad prey ranges, but their commercial use remains limited because many species are difficult to rear on a large scale. Broader taxonomic coverage, improved rearing methods, and standardised experimental approaches are needed to better understand lifespan variation and to strengthen evaluation of the biocontrol potential of Stigmaeidae.

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