Short-term fasting early in life extends lifespan in a mite Amblydromalus limonicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

TL;DR

Short-term fasting during early life increases the lifespan of a predatory mite, with the strongest effect when fasting starts at the larval stage.

Contribution

This study shows that short-term fasting in early life extends the lifespan of the mite Amblydromalus limonicus, particularly during the larval stage.

Findings

Short-term fasting during the larval stage significantly extended the mite's lifespan.

Fasting at other developmental stages also increased lifespan but to a lesser extent.

The results suggest that early-life dietary restriction can have long-term physiological benefits in mites.

Abstract

Dietary restriction is one of the most effective and reproducible dietary interventions known to regulate aging and increase the healthy lifespan in various model organisms, ranging from the unicellular yeast to worms, flies, rodents, and primates. This study examined the effects of short-term fasting during early life (STFEL) on longevity in the phytoseiid predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus, hypothesizing that STFEL—especially at the facultative feeding larval stage—would extend lifespan. Experimental mites were divided into a control group with no fasting and four treatment groups subjected to 1-day fasting at the start in different developmental stages: Larval (T1), protonymph (T2), deutonymph (T3), and adult (T4). Results demonstrate that STFEL could significantly extends lifespan, with the most pronounced effects observed when fasting occurred at the start of the larval stage compared to other periods. These findings highlight the adaptive role of facultative feeding larvae and provide a foundation for developing physiological enhancement strategies in biocontrol applications.

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