Journal of Economic Entomology (2009) 102, 595-601

Aurang Kavousi, Hsin Chi, Khalil Talebi, Alireza Bandani, Ahmad Ashouri and Vahid Hosseini Naveh (2009)
Demographic traits of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) on leaf discs and whole leaves
Journal of Economic Entomology 102 (2), 595-601
Abstract: Life tables of twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), were studied on leaf discs and whole leaves of the common bean plant, Phaseolus vulgaris L. Data were analyzed based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. Durations of deutonymph stage, total preadult stage, and preoviposition period of mites reared on whole leaves (1.22, 7.6, and 0.29 d, respectively) were significantly shorter than those reared on leaf discs (1.73, 8.2, and 0.89 d, respectively). The lifetime fecundities were 22.81 and 12.05 offspring on whole leaves and leaf discs, respectively. Although hooked trichomes on the lower surface of the bean leaf contribute to adult mortality, spider mites successfully survive and reproduce on bean plants. The intrinsic rate of increase on whole leaves (0.235 d^-1) was higher than that on leaf discs (0.159 d^-1). Higher intrinsic rate and fecundity found in mites reared on whole leaves may be due to the higher nutritional quality of whole leaves over leaf discs. We suggest that whole leaves should be used in future studies to better simulate realistic life history characteristics. The advantages of using age-stage, two-sex life tables over female age-specific life tables are discussed.
(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): Hsin Chi, Ali Reza Bandani, Ahmad Ashouri, Khalil Talebi

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tetranychus urticae	Beans (Phaseolus)