Abstract
The effect of temperature on the developmental period and oviposition of the Tea Rust Mite, Acaphylla theavagrans Kadono, was examined by rearing the mite on tea (Camellia sinensis). The developmental periods from egg to egg on mature tea leaves were 22.4, 16.5, 11.4, 9.3 and 7.7 days at 15°C, 18°C, 21°C, 24°C and 27°C, respectively. The developmental zero and total effective temperature for one generation were estimated to be 9.1°C and 137.2 day-degrees, respectively. Oviposition was observed at all tested temperature, and the number of eggs per female increased with increasing temperature. Adult longevity and pre-ovipositional period were shortened with increasing temperature. The fecundity zero, which was estimated by regression analysis on the average number of eggs per oviposited female per day at five different temperature was 8.7°C. The intrinsic rate of natural increase was higher at higher temperatures, and the values were 0.037 and 0.181 at 15°C and 27°C, respectively.
