Temperature-dependent Development of Immature Carcinops pumilio (Coleoptera: Histeridae), a Predator of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)2

The development rates of the immature stages of Carcinops pumilio (Erichson), a predator on eggs and first instar larvae of the house fly, Musca domestica L. were determined at six constant temperatures: 17.5, 19.5, 25.5, 30.0, 32.5 and 35.0°C. At the six temperatures, respectively, the median development times (days) were for eggs: 25.5, 14.3, 7.4, 3.8, 3.5 and 3.5; for larvae 37.7, 20.9, 9.4, 6.0, 6.0 and 6.0; and for pupae 42.8, 33.6, 17.0, 9.7, 7.4 and 8.3. Maximum development rates for all stages were at 32.5°C. The percentage of survival at the six temperatures, respectively, for larvae were 66, 92, 98, 100, 93 and 93, and for pupae were 56, 86, 90, 100, 93 and 78. The parameters for the Sharpe and DeMichele (1977) temperature-dependent development model and the Stinner et al. (1975) distribution of development model were estimated from the constant temperature data and validated under a variable temperature cycle.