THE MITE FAUNA OF HOUSE DUST IN SINGAPORE WITH LABORATORY STUDIES ON THE LIFE HISTORY OF AUSTROGLYCYPHAGUS MALAYSIENSIS FAIN & NADCHATRAM
YEOW MOEY NEO
YEOW MOEY NEO
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Abstract
The project consists of two parts. Part I of the study was
undertaken to document the mite species present in house dust
and to investigate the factors influencing their distribution.
Two habitats were chosen for study - the living-room sofa and
floor. The relative abundances of the spec~es found in each
habitat as well as comparisons of their abundances between the
two habitats, were also investigated. Mites were found in all
the 48 samples of dust examined. Fifteen species of mites were
identified, the most abundant being
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, followed by Blomia tropicalis
for both sofa and floor. A total of 24 homes of three different
types - brick, wood, partial brick and wood, were selected.
Data concerning age of home, type of floor, cleaning method and
frequency of both sofa and floor were compiled and correlated
with number of mites found in each home to see whether these
factors influenced their abundances. It was ~iscovered that age
and type of home did not influence mite numbers. Cleaning
method and frequency interacted together to influence total mite
and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus numbers on the sofa, while
floor type and freque ncy of cleaning the floor influenced
Blomia tropical is numbers.
In Part II the life cycle of Austroglycyphagus malaysiensis was
inves t igated ~n the laboratory to provide informat ion on the
duration of developmental stages, reproductive rates of females
mating behaviour and longevity of mated and unmated male and
female adults. Cultures were maintained at 22°C and 30°C to
determine whether these two temperatures affected mite
deve lopment and activity. It was found that temperature
influenced only the time taken for eggs to hatch; at 30°C the
eggs hatched faster, showing a difference of two days. At both
temperatures virgin males and females lived longer than mated
mites.
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1984
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