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Predicting the population dynamics of the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) in response to a constant hygrothermal environment using a model of the mite life cycle

Experimental and Applied Acarology volume 41, pages 61–86 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

A generalised model of the life cycle of a house dust mite, which can be tailored to any particular species of domestic mite, is presented. The model takes into account the effects of hygrothermal conditions on each life cycle phase. It is used in a computer simulation program, called POPMITE, which, by incorporating a population age structure, is able to predict population dynamics. The POPMITE simulation is adapted to the Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) (DP) mite using published data on the egg development period, total development period, adult longevity, mortality during egg development, mortality during juvenile development, and fecundity of individual DP mites held at a range of constant hygrothermal conditions. An example is given which illustrates how the model functions under constant hygrothermal conditions. A preliminary validation of POPMITE is made by a comparison of the POPMITE predictions with published measurements of population growth of DP mites held at a range constant hygrothermal conditions for 21 days. The POPMITE simulation is used to provide predictions of population growth or decline for a wide range of constant relative humidity and temperature combinations for 30 and 60 days. The adaptation of the model to correctly take account of fluctuating hygrothermal conditions is discussed.

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Abbreviations

 :

The following table lists the symbols their meanings and units as used throughout this paper

Symbol Meaning Units
T Temperature °C
RH Relative humidity %
t Time slice h
N egg Number of eggs eggs
N juvenile Number of juveniles juveniles
N adult Number of adults adults
D egg Egg development duration h
D juvenile Juvenile development duration h
D adult Adult longevity h
R egg Egg percentage development rate %/h
R juvenile Juvenile development rate %/h
R adult Adult ageing rate %/h
d egg Percentage development of eggs %
d juvenile Percentage development of juveniles %
d adult Percentage development of adults %
M egg Total mortality during the egg phase %
M juvenile Total mortality during the juvenile phases %
M adult Total mortality during the adult phase %
s egg Egg survivability, the probability of surviving until hatching  
s juvenile Juvenile survivability, the probability of a freshly hatched juvenile surviving until moulting into an adult  
s adult Adult survivability, the probability of surviving the natural adult life span  
S egg Egg hourly survival probability h−1
S juvenile Juvenile hourly survival probability h−1
S adult Adult hourly survival probability h−1
F Egg laying rate of adult female mites eggs/h
f Fecundity or the mean number of eggs produced per female mite during her adult life eggs

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Acknowledgments

This research project has been funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Grant number GR/S70661/01.

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Affiliations

  1. The Martin Centre, University of Cambridge, 1 Scroope Terrace, Cambridge, CB2 1PX, UK

    Phillip Biddulph, David Crowther & Toby Wilkinson

  2. Biology Department, McGill University, 1205 Docteur Penfield, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3A 1B1

    Brian Leung

  3. Medical Entomology Centre, Barrington Road, Shepreth, Royston, SG8 6QZ, UK

    Toby Wilkinson

  4. Royal Agricultural College, Stroud Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6JS, UK

    Barbara Hart

  5. The Bartlett School of Graduate Studies, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK

    Phillip Biddulph, Tadj Oreszczyn, Ian Ridley & Marcella Ucci

  6. School of Architecture & Landscape, Kingston University, London, KT1 2QJ, UK

    Stephen Pretlove

Authors
  1. Phillip Biddulph
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  2. David Crowther
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  3. Brian Leung
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  4. Toby Wilkinson
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  5. Barbara Hart
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  6. Tadj Oreszczyn
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  7. Stephen Pretlove
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  8. Ian Ridley
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  9. Marcella Ucci
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Correspondence to Phillip Biddulph.

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Biddulph, P., Crowther, D., Leung, B. et al. Predicting the population dynamics of the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) in response to a constant hygrothermal environment using a model of the mite life cycle. Exp Appl Acarol 41, 61–86 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-007-9056-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-007-9056-3

Keywords

  • House dust mites
  • Population model
  • Relative humidity
  • Temperature
  • Life cycle
  • Population structure