Journal of Economic Entomology (2005) 98, 154-158

Jeffrey C. White and Oscar E. Liburd (2005)
Effects of soil moisture and temperature on reproduction and development of twospotted spider mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) in strawberries
Journal of Economic Entomology 98 (1), 154-158
Abstract: The effects of soil moisture and temperature on the reproduction of twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), were examined in laboratory and field tests in strawberries, Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne, in Florida. Different soil moisture levels (low, moderate, and high) were compared to determine how soil moisture affects the reproduction and development of twospotted spider mite. In addition to soil moisture, different irrigation techniques (drip versus drip/overhead) were compared to determine their effects on twospotted spider mite reproduction as well as the incidence of angular leaf spot, Xanthomonas fragariae Kennedy and King disease. Similar studies were conducted to determine how different temperatures (18, 27, and 35°C) affect the reproduction and development of twospotted spider mites. In the laboratory, low soil moisture as well as temperatures >27°C promoted twospotted spider mite development. A similar trend was observed in a field study with low soil moisture promoting twospotted spider mite reproduction during the early season (11 November-8 December). Irrespective of moisture levels, a significantly higher incidence of X. fragaria was recorded in treatments with drip/overhead irrigation systems compared with drip irrigation. Implications for management of soil moisture levels are discussed with respect to the abundance of twospotted spider mite and X. fragaria in strawberries.
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Database assignments for author(s): Oscar E. Liburd

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tetranychus urticae	Strawberry (Fragaria)	U.S.A. (SE)
	Xanthomonas fragariae	Strawberry (Fragaria)	U.S.A. (SE)