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BioControl (2000) 45, 155-164
A.S. Rott and D.J. Ponsonby (2000)
The effects of temperature, relative humidity and host plant on the behaviour of Stethorus punctillum as a predator of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae
BioControl 45 (2), 155-164
Abstract: The predatory behaviour of Stethorus punctillum larvae was studied on the two-spottedspider mite (Tetranychus urticae), in order toassess how it responded to temperatures and relativehumidities typical of glasshouse conditions on fouredible crop plant species. Locomotory activity(distance covered, time spent walking, walking speed,angular velocity, and turning rate) was recorded at 20, 25 and 30 °C and relativehumidity levels of 33%, 65% and 90% RH on tomato, pepper, aubergine and cucumber and analysed usingvideo/computer techniques. The results show thatactivity of S. punctillum significantly increased athigher temperatures. Host plant species also stronglyinfluenced the performance of the predator, which wasmost active on pepper and tomato and least active onaubergine. Relative humidity had no significantinfluence.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): D.J. Ponsonby
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation