The predacious mite, Hypoaspis vacua (Michael) successfully developed from larva to adult stage when fed on eggs of housefly, Musca domestica (L.) and nymphs of acarid mite, Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fum. & Rob.) in the laboratory. The duration of the immature stages and of the adult stage were determined. Food type greatly affected female fecundity and feeding capacity. Immature stages of H. vacua consumed in total an average of 13.6 eggs of M. domestica and 33.0 nymphs of R. echinopus, whereas each day throughout her life, the adult female consumed an average of 4.1 eggs of M. domestica and 13.23 nymphs of R. echinopus. Eggs of housefly were the most suitable diet, as it prolonged adult longevity (76.8 days) and increased female fecundity (1.3 eggs/female/day).
