Environmental Entomology (1984) 13, 344-347

J.M. Norman, J.L. Toole, T.O. Holtzer and T.M. Perring (1984)
Energy budget for the Banks grass mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) and its use in deriving mite body temperatures
Environmental Entomology 13 (2), 344-347
Abstract: Departure of Banks grass mite, Oligonychus pratensis (Banks), body temperatures from leaf temperatures were calculated, using an energy budget equation. To obtain the radiation term of the equation, mite transmissivity was determined experimentally. Absorptivity estimates were ca. 0.5 in the photosynthetically active wavelengths and ca. 0.2 in the near-infrared wavelengths. However, when adjusted to account for the influence of corn leaf transmissivity, these values became, respectively, 15 and 8% of incident radiation. Mortality rates at various RHs were determined and then used to derive mite resistance to water loss. LT₅₀ values at 30°C ranged from 16.8 h at 0% RH to 67.7 h at 100% RH. Calculated resistance to water loss was 1.8 x 10⁵ sec m^-1 and is thus negligible in energy balance calculations. The effects of radiation are small but not negligible. Resulting calculations indicate that mites feeding on leaves will be <0.7°C above leaf temperature.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Thomas M. Perring

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Oligonychus pratensis