High School

Which life stage of mites is considered the "non-feeding" stage?

Answer :

Final answer:

The "non-feeding" stage of mites is the deutonymph stage.

Explanation:

Mites, belonging to the arachnid class Acari, undergo several developmental stages during their life cycle. These stages include the egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult. Among these, the deutonymph stage is considered the "non-feeding" stage.

During the deutonymph stage, mites do not actively feed on hosts or environmental resources. Instead, they focus on undergoing various morphological changes and preparing for the final adult stage. This stage is characterized by the development of specialized structures, such as genitalia and setae, which are necessary for reproduction and mobility in the adult phase.

The deutonymphs often consume stored nutrients acquired during earlier stages, and they may exhibit behaviors related to searching for suitable mating partners. This stage is crucial for the mite's overall development, as it marks the transition from immaturity to adulthood. Once the deutonymph stage is completed, the mite emerges as a fully mature adult, capable of reproduction and feeding on its host or other resources as needed.

In summary, the deutonymph stage is considered the "non-feeding" stage in the life cycle of mites, as it is primarily focused on maturation and preparation for reproduction.

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