四种树种上二斑叶螨生长发育及繁殖差异及其与植物叶片化学组成的关系

采用海绵水盘法研究了苹果Malus pumila Mill.、接骨木Sambucus illiamsii Hance、苦楝Melia azedarach L.、火炬树Rhus typhina L.对二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae Koch生长发育和繁殖的影响,并分别采用凯氏定氮法、索氏提取法、蒽酮比色法、Folin-Denis比色法测定了植物叶片全氮含量、粗脂肪含量、可溶性糖含量、单宁含量。结果发现：苹果和接骨木叶片的全氮（分别为2.98％和4.00％）和可溶性糖（分别为19.92％和12.81％）含量较高,有利于二斑叶螨生长发育和繁殖。而火炬树叶片的全氮量（2.60％）、可溶性糖含量（4.98％）最低,单宁含量（11.45％）最高,对二斑叶螨具有较强的抗性。单宁可能是植物抗螨性形成过程中起主要作用的次生物质。     

华北大黑鳃金龟成虫对三种植物的取食选择及趋性行为反应

【目的】本研究旨在明确华北大黑鳃金龟Holotrichia oblita成虫对3种植物的趋向选择性与取食偏好性的关系及其成因。【方法】利用Y型嗅觉仪和叶面积仪等分别测定华北大黑鳃金龟成虫对榆树Ulmus parvifolia、苘麻Abutilon theophrasti和蓖麻Ricinus communis 3种植物的趋向性和取食量,采用GC-MS分析鉴定这3种植物挥发物的成分,观测其对主要成分的嗅觉反应。【结果】华北大黑鳃金龟成虫对蓖麻的趋向性显著强于对苘麻和榆树的趋向性(P0.05),对苘麻和榆树的趋向程度相当;但对榆树叶片的取食量最大(P0.05),对苘麻和蓖麻叶片的取食量相近,雌虫与雄虫的取食量没有显著差异(P0.05)。通过GC-MS分析鉴定发现,3种植物挥发物主要成分有明显差异。嗅觉反应结果显示,在10μg/μL浓度下,顺-3-己烯基异丁酸酯、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯、顺-3-己烯基乙酸酯、芳樟醇、苯酚、水杨酸甲酯和β-石竹烯等化合物对华北大黑鳃金龟的吸引力都显著强于对照(正己烷);但3-蒈烯、反-2-壬烯醛和α-水芹烯对华北大黑鳃金龟的吸引力弱于对照,并呈显著差异(P0.05)。【结论】华北大黑鳃金龟成虫对榆树、苘麻和蓖麻的趋向选择性不等同于取食偏好性。     

土壤干旱对观赏植物活性氧产生和抗氧化酶活性的影响

采用盆栽试验方法,考察自然干旱-复水处理下观赏植物红叶石楠、金叶女贞、小叶黄杨和大叶黄杨叶片超氧阴离子自由基(O-·2)产生速率、丙二醛(MDA)含量以及保护酶(SOD、POD、CAT)活性的变化,研究各种植物在干旱条件下的活性氧产生与酶促清除过程以及复水后的恢复情况差异,以揭示植物在逆境条件下的适应策略。结果表明:(1)自然干旱过程中,红叶石楠叶片O-·2生成速率呈先降低,之后明显升高,而小叶黄杨、金叶女贞、大叶黄杨均先升后降。(2)干旱提高了4种植物的MDA含量,但金叶女贞和大叶黄杨的MDA含量变化较小。(3)干旱下4种植物叶片的SOD活性增强,它们的POD活性变化不同,而CAT活性均先升高后下降。(4)复水后,4种植物O-·2产生速率和MDA含量均降低;小叶黄杨、金叶女贞、大叶黄杨SOD活性上升,而红叶石楠SOD活性下降;红叶石楠、金叶女贞、大叶黄杨CAT活性下降,而小叶黄杨则上升;红叶石楠、小叶黄杨、大叶黄杨POD活性下降,而金叶女贞却上升。研究表明,不同植物对活性氧的清除途径不同;隶属函数法分析表明4种观赏植物在干旱胁迫初期的综合抗旱性表现依次为:小叶黄杨金叶女贞大叶黄杨红叶石楠。     

螺旋粉虱对10种寄主植物的趋性研究

本文通过随机摆放寄主植物(呈圆形)和采用Y形嗅觉仪实验的方法,研究了螺旋粉虱成虫对多种不同寄主植物的趋性差异,寻找诱集植物,为螺旋粉虱的监测和防治提供理论依据.实验结果表明:10种寄主植物同时存在时,螺旋粉虱成虫趋向于在番木瓜和番石榴上停落、取食和产卵;在不同寄主植物叶片挥发物的Y形嗅觉仪实验中,螺旋粉虱雌成虫对番木瓜、番石榴的趋向性最强.     

二斑叶螨的卵和丝网对西花蓟马生长发育和繁殖的影响

为探讨二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae Koch的卵和丝网对西花蓟马Frankliniella occidentalis(Pergande)的影响,本文研究了西花蓟马分别取食健康菜豆叶片、带二斑叶螨卵的菜豆叶片、带卵+丝网的菜豆叶片3种不同情况下,西花蓟马生长发育、存活和繁殖情况,并获得了其生命参数。结果表明西花蓟马在带二斑叶螨卵的菜豆叶片上发育最快,其未成熟期为11.35 d,明显短于另外两个处理,在带有二斑叶螨卵和丝网的菜豆叶片上成虫获得率最低为63%,西花蓟马在不同处理之间的成虫寿命和繁殖力没有明显的差异;西花蓟马取食3种菜豆叶片的内禀增长率分别为0.1779、0.1827和0.1710。以上结果说明取食二斑叶螨的卵可缩短西花蓟马发育时间,对种群增长有利,二斑叶螨的丝网可降低西花蓟马的存活率。     

5种卫矛属植物对低温胁迫的生理响应及抗寒性评价

以5种卫矛属树种(品系)当年生充分休眠离体带叶枝条为试材,在高低温湿热试验箱内进行0℃、-10℃、-20℃和-30℃共4个梯度低温胁迫处理,考察其叶片解剖结构以及细胞膜透性、渗透调节物质、保护酶活性等生理指标的低温响应特征,并结合隶属函数分析方法综合评价5种卫矛属植物抗寒性。结果表明:(1)‘北海道黄杨6号’叶片有3层紧密的栅栏组织,北海道黄杨、胶州卫矛和大叶黄杨叶片有2层紧密、1层相对疏松的栅栏组织,扶芳藤叶片则只有2层排列紧密的栅栏组织;5个树种叶片组织紧密度表现为‘北海道黄杨6号’北海道黄杨胶州卫矛大叶黄杨扶芳藤。(2)通过Logistic方程拟合叶片相对电导率随温度的变化,获得5种卫矛树种的半致死温度(LT_(50))由低到高依次为‘北海道黄杨6号’(-19.69℃)、北海道黄杨(-17.41℃)、胶州卫矛(-16.03℃)、大叶黄杨(-13.33℃)、扶芳藤(-10.45℃)。(3)各树种叶片渗透调节物质含量随胁迫温度的降低而持续增加,在-30℃低温时,叶片可溶性糖含量以‘北海道黄杨6号’和北海道黄杨的增幅最大,可溶性蛋白含量以胶州卫矛和大叶黄杨增幅最大,但两者含量均以扶芳藤增幅最小。(4)各树种叶片抗氧化酶活性均随胁迫温度的降低而先升高后降低,大叶黄杨和扶芳藤叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、多酚氧化酶(PPO)活性均在-10℃低温胁迫时达到峰值,而‘北海道黄杨6号’、北海道黄杨和胶州卫矛叶中各酶活性在-20℃低温胁迫时才达到峰值,它们酶活性峰值出现的时间及高低与其半致死温度的结果相吻合。(5)隶属函数综合评价结果显示,5种卫矛属植物的抗寒能力表现为‘北海道黄杨6号’北海道黄杨胶州卫矛大叶黄杨扶芳藤。研究发现,在低温胁迫条件下,卫矛属植物一方面通过渗透调节物质的合成来提高细胞内的渗透势,另一方面通过增强抗氧化酶活性来清除细胞内过量的活性氧、酚酸类等有害物质,从而对低温环境具有一定的适应能力,这为卫矛属植物抗寒种质的筛选及其在城市绿化中的合理应用提供了理论依据。     

不同三叶草对二斑叶螨生长发育和繁殖的影响

【目的】明确红三叶、白三叶和杂三叶3种寄主对二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae Koch生长发育和繁殖的影响,以及3种寄主间二斑叶螨的生物学差异。【方法】在室内(25±1)℃条件下,采用离体叶片法研究了3种三叶草对二斑叶螨种群参数的影响。【结果】3种三叶草对二斑叶螨生长发育、雌成螨寿命以及繁殖力有显著影响(P<0.05)。在杂三叶上,二斑叶螨发育历期、产卵前期明显比红三叶和白三叶上要长,而且雌成螨寿命和产卵期也明显缩短。每雌产卵量在红三叶上最高(150.87粒),白三叶次之(139.43粒),而杂三叶上最低(86.95粒)。二斑叶螨在3种三叶草上的存活曲线均为Ⅰ型,存活率高低依次为红三叶、白三叶和杂三叶。净增殖率(R0)、内禀增长率(rm)和周限增长率(λ)在红三叶上最高、杂三叶上最低,而平均世代周期(T)和种群加倍时间(Dt)在杂三叶上最长、红三叶上最短。【结论】3种三叶草对二斑叶螨的适合度具有一定差异,红三叶和白三叶对二斑叶螨具有更高的适合度。     

巴氏新小绥螨对柑桔全爪螨处理的枳橙叶片挥发物的行为反应

【目的】研究巴氏新小绥螨Neoseiulus barkeri对柑桔全爪螨Panonychus citri及刺吸式昆虫为害柑桔叶片释放的挥发物的行为反应,揭示巴氏新小绥螨的嗅觉反应特点。【方法】采用GC-MS顶空进样法对枳橙叶片常见挥发性化合物、针刺枳橙叶片及其柑桔全爪螨雌成螨取食枳橙叶片挥发物进行定性分析,确定每类化合物的相对保留指数,构建枳橙叶片常见及受害挥发性化合物特征谱库。利用嗅觉测定技术分析巴氏新小绥螨对枳橙叶片挥发物的行为反应。【结果】针刺处理和柑桔全爪螨取食影响枳橙叶片挥发物的组成和含量。两种方法处理时枳橙叶片释放的主要物质为α-蒎烯、水芹烯、4-异丙基甲苯。随着处理加重,增量释放的物质为:cis-π-罗勒烯、月桂烯、柠檬烯、异松油烯,减量表达的物质为2-乙基-1-乙醇和十一烷。在10~(-2)、10~(-4)、10~(-6)和10~(-8)g/m L浓度下,正己醛、正壬醛、乙酸辛酯和正庚醛对巴氏新小绥螨有强烈的引诱作用(P>0.05);月桂烯在10~(-2)、10~(-4)和10~(-6)g/m L浓度下对巴氏新小绥螨有强烈的引诱作用(P>0.05);正壬醇和正辛醇随着浓度增加,对巴氏新小绥螨的引诱作用降低;苯甲醛对巴氏新小绥螨的引诱作用较弱。【结论】巴氏新小绥螨对柑桔全爪螨及刺吸式口器昆虫为害柑桔叶片释放出的挥发物各组分具有不同的行为反应,柑桔及其刺吸式害虫生境中的嗅觉线索在巴氏新小绥螨的寄主定位和生境选择中起着重要作用。     

火炬树(Rhus typhina)叶挥发性成分及其对两种叶螨选择行为的影响

火炬树为我国于1959年引进的速生绿化观赏性植物,其生长快,长势旺盛,抗病虫害和抗螨能力强,但还未见到其抗螨性和抗螨机理的研究报道.测定了火炬树叶挥发性成分及其对二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae Koch和山楂叶螨Tetranychus viennensis Zacher选择行为的影响,利用固相微萃取(Solid phase microextraction, SPME)采集、GC-MS测定火炬树叶挥发物,"Y"型嗅觉仪分别测定挥发物对两种叶螨选择行为的影响.结果表明,火炬树叶挥发性成分含量由高至低依次为4,6-二特丁基-2-甲基苯酚、4-庚醇、3,7,11-三甲基-2,6,10-二十二三烯-1-醇、丁基化羟基甲苯、α-法呢烯、十八烯、4-甲基-1-丙烯-3-醇、水杨酸甲酯和苯甲酸乙酯等;在两组气味源(火炬树叶与苹果树叶、火炬树叶与空气)中,二斑叶螨对火炬树叶的选择率分别为9.3%和28.9%,山楂叶螨则分别为5.6%和28%,与对照差异显著,但种间差异不显著.因此可以看出,火炬树叶挥发物对叶螨的选择行为具有一定的影响.     

寄主植物物理性状及营养物质对地红蝽寄主选择性的影响

【目的】地红蝽Pyrrhocoris tibialis是一种重要的农业植食性害虫,寄主范围广泛。本研究测定地红蝽对不同植物的取食偏好及分析寄主植物物理性状和营养物质在地红蝽成虫寄主选择行为中的作用,以期从寄主理化性状的角度来探讨地红蝽寄主选择行为机制,为指导作物抗虫育种提供依据。【方法】通过自由选择方法研究地红蝽成虫对5种寄主植物(谷子Setaria italica、高粱Sorghum bicolor、绿豆Vigna radiata、大豆Glycine max和玉米Zea mays)叶片的取食选择性;使用Y型嗅觉仪进一步检测地红蝽对5种植物叶片气味的趋性反应;测定分析5种植物叶片物理性状及主要营养物质含量与地红蝽取食选择性的相关性。【结果】地红蝽成虫对5种寄主植物叶片的取食选择率存在显著性差异,依次为谷子＞高粱＞绿豆＝大豆＞玉米,与对这5种寄主植物叶片气味的趋性反应百分率结果一致。相关性分析表明,地红蝽成虫的取食选择性与叶片长宽比、含水量和背面茸毛密度呈显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.881, 0.884和0.906,而与地红蝽成虫取食前后寄主植物叶片可溶性糖含量变化和总蛋白质含量变化呈显著负相关,相关系数分别为-0.915和-0.951。通径分析表明,寄主植物叶片背面茸毛密度和总蛋白质含量变化是地红蝽寄主选择性的重要决定因素。【结论】地红蝽成虫对不同寄主植物存在取食选择和趋向性差异,地红蝽成虫取食选择与寄主植物叶片长宽比、背面茸毛密度、含水量以及可溶性糖和总蛋白质含量变化有关。     

Acaricidal properties of spinosad against Tetranychus urticae and Panonychus ulmi (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Laboratory bioassays were conducted to characterize the activity of the insecticide spinosad against the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, and European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch) (Acari: Tetranychidae). T. urticae females and larvae were individually placed on bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabaceae), leaf disks treated with four rates of spinosad (25, 55, 121, and 266 ppm) and a water control. Significantly fewer T. urticae completed development on any spinosad rates (<15%) compared with the control (>85%), whereas spinosad exhibited no significant effects on P. ulmi development; 72.5 and 83.1% of P. ulmi completed development on apple (Malus pumila P. Mill, Rosaceae) leaf disks treated with 75 ppm spinosad and the control, respectively. T. urticae adult females placed on spinosad-treated disks had significantly higher mortality and lower oviposition rates compared with the water control; no significant mortality effects were observed until 3 d after placing adults on leaf disks. In choice tests where half of a bean leaf was treated with 55 ppm spinosad transversally or longitudinally, T. urticae females were repelled by spinosad and largely oviposited and fed on nonspinosad treated areas. Spinosad did not affect the behavior of P. ulmi females. When T. urticae females were released on potted bean plants (two-leaf stage) in which leaves received spinosad sprays on the adaxial or abaxial leaf surfaces, or complete spinosad coverage on one or two of the leaves, mite population increase lagged significantly behind those released on control plants. These results indicate that spinosad has significant acaricidal effects against T. urticae but not P. ulmi.     

Feeding History Affects the Response of the Predatory Mite Typhlodromus Kerkirae (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to Volatiles of Plants Infested with Spider Mites

The response of adult females of the predatory mite Typhlodromus kerkirae (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to volatiles emitted from bean leaves infested with Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) or from leaves of Oxalis corniculata infested with Petrobia harti (Acari: Tetranychidae) was studied in the laboratory using a Y-tube olfactometer. Typhlodromus kerkirae females reared from larvae through to adults on T. urticae and pollen of Vicia faba responded to volatiles of bean leaves infested with T. urticae, either when they had a choice between infested and non-infested bean leaves or between bean leaves infested with T. urticae and O. corniculata leaves infested with P. harti. However, they did not respond when they had been reared only on the carotenoid-deficient pollen of V. faba. Female T. kerkirae that had been reared from larva to the tenth day of adult life on T. urticae and subsequently fed for 1 week on V. faba pollen did not respond to volatiles of bean leaves infested with T. urticae. In contrast, those that had been reared on V. faba pollen to the tenth day of adult life and subsequently fed for 1 week on T. urticae responded to volatiles of infested bean leaves.     

菜豆-二斑叶螨-伪钝绥螨相互关系的研究

本文利用Y-型嗅觉仪和叶碟法测定了伪钝绥螨Amblyseius fallacis(Garman)对不同处理菜豆植株的选择性,并用气相色谱-质谱联用仪分别对菜豆健康植株、被机械损伤过的菜豆植株和被二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae(Koch)危害过的植株挥发性物质的成分进行了分析,并对其相对含量进行了比较.结...     

Effects of prey mite species on life history of the phytoseiid predators Typhlodromalus manihoti and Typhlodromalus aripo

The effects of prey mite suitability on several demographic characteristics of phytoseiid predators and the relationship of these effects to the potential of phytoseiid predators to control herbivorous mite populations are well documented. Evidence has also accumulated in the last 20 years demonstrating that phytoseiid predators utilize herbivorous prey mite-induced plant volatiles as olfactory cues in locating their herbivorous mite prey. but less well established is the predictability of reproductive success from the ability of the predators to utilize olfactory cues to locate their prey, and how these processes are related to the success of the predators as biological control agents of the herbivorous mite. In this study, we determined in laboratory no choice experiments, the development, survivorship and fecundity of the two neotropical phytoseiid predators Typhlodromalus manihoti Moraes and T. aripo DeLeon when feeding on three herbivorous mites, including the key prey species Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar), and the two alternative prey species Oligonychus gossypii (Zacher) and Tetranychus urticae (Koch). Intrinsic rate of increase (rm) of T. aripo was 2.1 fold higher on M. tanajoa as prey compared with T. urticae as prey, while it was almost nil on O. gossypii. For T. manihoti, rm was 2.3 fold higher on M. tanajoa as prey compared with O. gossypii as prey, while reproduction was nil on T. urticae. An independent experiment on odor-related prey preference of the two predator species (Gnanvossou et al. 2002) showed that T. manihoti and T. aripo preferred odors from M. tanajoa-infested leaves to odors from O. gossypii-infested leaves. Moreover, both predator species preferred odors from M. tanajoa-infested leaves over those from T. urticae-infested leaves. As reported here, life history of the two predatory mites matches odor-related prey preference if the key prey species is compared to the two inferior prey species. The implications of our findings for the persistence of T. manihoti and T. aripo and biological control of M. tanajoa in the cassava agroecosystem in Africa are discussed.     

黄土高原森林草原区6种植物光合特性研究

 对黄土高原森林草原区6种不同植物的生理生态学特性进行了一个生长季的野外观测。测定了2002年生长季早、中、晚期植物叶片的光合、蒸腾速率及相应的微气象因子和土壤水分的含量。在此基础上,采用机理性生理生态学模型对黄土高原森林草原区6种植物净光合速率和气孔导度与环境因子的关系进行了分析,净光合速率模型和气孔导度模型分别能够解释57%～79% 和40%～59% 生长季中净光合速率和气孔导度的日变化。在此基础上根据拟合得到的参数计算了典型7月份天气的净光合速率的日变化。模拟的结果表明：沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides L. subsp. sinensis Rousi)的生物化学光合能力最强,茵陈蒿（Artemisia capillaris）的光呼吸速率最低,这两种植物的净光合速率高于其它植物种。刺槐（Robinia pseudoacacia）、铁杆蒿 (Artemisia gmelinii)、茵陈蒿和沙棘在午后出现的净光合速率下降主要是由气孔导度减小引起的,而苹果 (Malus pumila) 和柠条 (Caragana korshinskii)午后净光合速率的降低与叶肉细胞酶的活性降低有关。这些结论为未来的实验室测定提供了野外观测佐证。     

Relative toxicity of nC24 agricultural mineral oil to Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and its possible relationship to egg ultrastructure

The relative toxicity (LC₅₀ values based on µg oil/cm²) is evaluated of aqueous n C24 agricultural mineral oil (AMO) emulsions to the egg, six-legged nymph (larva), eight-legged protonymph and adult stages of two-spotted mite ( Tetranychus urticae ) and its predator, Phytoseiulus persimilis , on French bean leaf discs, using a Potter spray tower to apply of the oil. The egg of P. persimilis was the least susceptible stage (LC₅₀ 444.84) and its LC₅₀ was significantly higher than all other stages tested of either P. persimilis or T. urticae . The LC₅₀ for adult female T. urticae (LC₅₀ 63.89) was significantly lower than the larva (LC₅₀ 93.86); however, there was no significant difference in response between the protonymph (LC₅₀ 70.44) and the larva, which were both higher than T. urticae eggs (LC₅₀ 17.55). LC₅₀s for P. persimilis larva (LC₅₀ 43.87), protonymph (LC₅₀ 41.55) and adult female (LC₅₀ 53.34) were similar. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the egg surface of T. urticae is usually well covered with fine silk that may trap more oil and increase AMO efficacy. Other possible differences in AMO efficacy between T. urticae and P. persimilis may be due to differences in egg size, egg incubation period, egg surface structure and the presence of vulnerable respiratory cones in T. urticae eggs. Dose of 0.2–0.3% (w/w) is considered to be the most appropriate for n C24 AMOs use against T. urticae in combination with P. persimilis in integrated pest management programs.     

Effect of tomato leaf hairiness on functional and numerical response of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

The objective of this study was to determine whether differences in hairiness of tomato plants affect the functional and numerical response of the predator Neoseiulus californicus McGregor attacking the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. Two tomato hybrids with different density of glandular hairs were used. The functional response was measured by offering eggs and adults of T urticae at densities ranging from 4 to 64 items per tomato leaflet (surface ca. 6.3 cm2); eggs were offered to predator protonymphs and deutonymphs, adult spider mites to adult predators. The number of spider mites eaten as a function of initial density was fitted to the disc equation. Predator densities were regressed against initial prey densities to analyze the numerical response. The number of eggs and adults of T. urticae eaten by N. californicus was extremely low in both hybrids. The nymphal stage of N. californicus and prey density had a significant effect on the number of T urticae eggs eaten by the predator, while hybrid had no effect. The functional response fitted reasonably well to the Holling model. The handling time (Th) and the attack rate (a) were very similar among the two hybrids. The numerical response indicated that the absolute density of predators increased with changes in spider mite densities but the relative predator/prey density decreased in both hybrids. Tomato hairiness prevented N. californicus from exhibiting a strong numerical response and the predator functional response was much lower than observed in other host plants and other phytoseiids. This result shows the need to consider plant attributes as an essential and interactive component of biological control practices.     

Effects of dispersal, predators (Acari: Phytoseiidae), weather, and ground cover treatments on populations of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in apple orchards

In a 2-yr study of causes of mite outbreaks in apple (Malus spp.) orchards in Nova Scotia, we monitored immigration of Tetranychus urticae Koch from orchard ground cover into trees populated by the generalist phytoseiid predator Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten. In both years, T. urticae-days in the tree canopy increased with number of T. urticae caught in sticky bands on tree trunks. In 2000, T. urticae-days were negatively correlated with T. pyri-days. Lack of correlation in 2001 was attributed to higher rates of immigration, which would mask the effects of predation. Weather also affected mite dynamics. Rainfall in July and August was less in 2001 than in 2000. Heat units were sufficient for six generations of T. urticae in 2001 but only for five in 2000. Consequently, T. urticae-days in the tree canopy and immigration rates were significantly greater in 2001 than in 2000, despite three-fold greater use of miticides. We also tested the effects of herbicides on T. urticae immigration. Application of selective herbicides in laneways reduced coverage of reproductive hosts of T. urticae, but these changes did not reduce immigration. In 2001, application of a miticidal herbicide, glufosinate, in tree rows reduced captures of T. urticae on sticky bands in high immigration orchards but not in low immigration orchards. We conclude that generalist predators and modified herbicide use are insufficient remedies and that effective biological control of T. urticae in the ground cover by a specialist phytoseiid such as Amblyseius fallacis Garman is essential to prevent outbreaks.     

Twospotted spider mite population level, distribution, and damage on ivy geranium in response to different nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization regimes

The influence of plant nutrition on arthropod pests has often been studied by comparing plants provided suboptimal nutrients with those provided sufficient or luxurious nutrients, but such results have limited applicability to commercially produced crops because nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are almost never limiting in greenhouse production. We conducted a series of experiments with ivy geranium, Pelargonium peltatum (L.) L'H?. ex Aiton 'Amethyst 96' to determine the response of twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acarina: Tetranychidae), to six combinations of N (8 or 24 mM) and P (0.32, 0.64, or 1.28 mM) that reflected commercial production practices. All six combinations resulted in saleable plants when plants were free of spider mites, but tissue N and P concentrations among fertilizer combinations were different. On mite-infested plants, no difference in mite numbers or plant damage was found in response to N fertilization rates. Phosphorus had no effect on mite population level until week 8, at which time plants fertilized with 0.64 mM P had slightly more mites than plants fertilized with 0.32 mM. However, overall quality and dry weight of plants fertilized by 0.32 mM P was lower than that of 0.64 and 1.28 mM, which suggests that ivy geranium plants fertilized with the higher P rates may better compensate for mite feeding damage. Positive correlations were found between within-plant distribution of mites and the corresponding tissue N and P concentrations in three foliage strata, suggesting that tissue nutrient content may influence mite selection of feeding sites.