Reproductive isolation betweenTetranychus lintearius and two related mites,T. urticae andT. turkestani (Acarina: Tetranychidae)

Gorse,Ulex europaeus L. (Leguminosae), is a serious weed in New Zealand and some other temperate parts of the world.Tetranychus lintearius Dufour (Tetranychidae) has been released in New Zealand as a biological control agent for the weed. Before it could be introduced from Europe, it was necessary to show thatT. lintearius is reproductively isolated from closely related pest mites.Crosses and reciprocal crosses were made betweenT. lintearius and four populations ofT. urticae Koch, and betweenT. lintearius and one population ofT. turkestani (Ugarov and Nikolski). In a second experiment, males of a second population ofT. lintearius were crossed with females of fiveT. urticae populations. The sex-ratio of F₁ progeny in both experiments suggested thatT. lintearius was reproductively isolated from the other species, and could therefore be used as a biological control agent for gorse.     

Influence of pesticide treatments on consumption ofTetranychus urticae [Acarina: Tetranychidae] eggs byPhytoseiulus persimilis [Acarina: Phytoseiidae]

Choice and no-choice experiments were conducted on lima bean leaf discs to determine whether pesticide or water treatments would affect consumption ofTetranychus urticae Koch eggs byPhytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot. In choice experiments,P. persimilis consumed significantly more untreated eggs than eggs treated with fenbutatin-oxide (600 ppm), cyhexatin (200 ppm), or water, when tested at 24, 48, or 72 h after treatment. The surfactant Triton X-100 was included in each pesticide suspension and the water-treated control at 0.1%. On the average, treated eggs amounted to only 30% of the total consumed (n=1,440). The water-treatment effect was weaker than the acaracides at 24 h, but effects did not differ at 48 and 72 h. In 24 h no-choice experiments,P. persimilis consumed as many eggs treated with fenbutatin-oxide, cyhexatin, water, or insecticidal soap (7 575 ppm) as untreated eggs. Fluvalinate treatment of prey eggs (89 ppm), however, resulted in a 50% reduction in egg consumption among predators remaining on leaf discs and a 6-fold increase in abandonment of discs as compared with the untreated control. Continuous consumption of fenbutatin-oxide-treated eggs over 5d did not affectP. persimilis oviposition or egg viability.      

Life-cycle variation inPanonychus akitanus Ehara (Acarina:Tetranychidae)

The life history ofPanonychus akitanus Ehara was studied in two Hokkaido populations on dwarf bamboos. The Sapporo population overwintered both as egg and female adult onSasa senanensis, and the Tomakomai population overwintered as egg onSasa apoiensis. Mites of the Sapporo population produced four or five generations from late April to late November or early December. The eggs that had overwintered began to hatch in mid-May, and this hatching period overlapped with that of eggs laid in late April by females that had overwintered. Therefore, mites with different overwintering stages would interbreed. Most eggs that had overwintered in the Tomakomai population hatched in mid-May, and about four generations were produced before early December, when only eggs were found. The density of mites per leaf of the Sapporo population reached a maximum in early May on old leaves and in late June on new leaves, and thereafter gradually decreased. The Tomakomai population initially decreased in density after hatching in the spring, but rapidly dispersed to new leaves, reached a peak in early September, and then gradually decreased. The maximal density was about 10 times higher and the distribution was less clumped (lower values of the aggregation index,m/m) than that of the Sapporo population. This was probably because the Sapporo mites could utilize only the underside of sporadically distributed leaves which were curled by spiders, whereas the Tomakomai mites inhabited any part of the leaf undersurface of the hairy host plant. Predators observed were phytoseiid mites and larvae of gall midges. The predatory effect on the Sapporo population was not clear. In the Tomakomai population, the number of gall midges correlated with the number of spider mites better than that of phytoseiid mites.     

Natural infection ofTetranychus evansi [Acarina: Tetranychidae] by aTriplosporium sp [Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales] in northeastern Brazil

Infections ofTetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard byTriplosporium sp. were observed on tomatoes from April through June of 1979 in Petrolina (Pernambuco), Brazil. Apparently, the pathogenic effect of the fungus together with the direct effect of the rain are important factors in reducing mite populations. The morphological characteristics of this species are described and compared with those of other mite-infectingTriplosporium spp. The taxonomic status of this fungus on the specific and generic levels is discussed.     

Environmental factors affecting the life-tables ofTetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) III. Host-plant nutrition

First, the literature of the last two decades on nutritional effects of host plants on spider mites is briefly reviewed. Second, experiments are described that subjected micro-propagated apple trees to four different levels of each macronutrient N, P and K. Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch) feeding on leaf disks of these plants were checked for their developmental time, egg production and longevity. Plant analysis revealed that the concentration of N, P and K corresponded to the respective treatments. The content of phenolic compounds in the leaves increased with N and P deficiency. In the N experiment, spider-mite preimaginal developmental rate and oviposition rate were both positively correlated with leaf N. Often, fecundity was positively correlated with N and carbohydrate content of the leaves, and negatively with the phenolic content. Longevity of the two-spotted spider mite was not significantly affected by any treatment. The K experiments yielded only minor differences in plant contents as well as in spider-mite biology.From these mite data, file-tables were constructed and statistically analyzed by the Jackknife technique. The life-table analysis showed a gradual decline in the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m) with N and P deficiency. With all experiments pooled,r _m was clearly correlated to leaf N and particularly to the content of phenolic compounds in the leaves. Nitrogen shortage had the most distinct influence on mite population growth: in a range of 1.5–3.0% leaf N,r _m increased by a factor of 4, the number of multiplications per generation (R ₀) by 11, and the doubling time of the population was prolonged 4-fold on severely N deficient leaves.     

Relationship between dispersal and fecundity ofTetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) exposed to flucythrinate

The effects of the synthetic pyrethroid flucythrinate on dispersal and fecundity of the two-spotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticae Koch, was investigated using a vial exposure technique that allowed treatment of mites without incidental treatment of host plant and allowed determination of the actual dose received by the mites. Flycythrinate elicited both immediate and delayed dispersal. Immediate dispersal within 120 min posttreatment was more sensitive than delayed dispersal and fecundity at 24, 48, and 72 h posttreatment. The lowest flucythrinate concentrations elicited immediate dispersal without subsequent inhibition of fecundity, providing support for the hypothesis that pyrethroid-induced mite population outbreaks can result from dispersal of healthy mites to areas of low competition. Delayed dispersal, however, was observed only in mites that had reduced fecundity. No significant increases in egg production were observed; however, mites exposed to the lowest concentrations of flucythrinate showed a trend toward increased fecundity at 48 and 72 h posttreatment. Since the mites were treated rather than the host plant, it appeared that the dispersal associated with flucythrinate was manifested primarily through a general stimulation of locomotor activity rather than directional locomotor response.Contribution from the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, Columbia, MO, Journal Series No. 10037.     

Local variation in overwintering stages ofPanonychus akitanus Ehara (Acarina: Tetranychidae)

The overwintering behaviour ofPanonychus akitanus Ehara was compared in a population (Sapporo) overwintering as the egg and the adult female and in a population (Tomakomai) overwintering in the egg stage only. In both populations, winter eggs were larger in size and darker in colour than summer eggs, and females laying winter eggs showed clear differences in body colour and behaviour from summer females. Both populations produced winter eggs in response to short photoperiods, and the critical photoperiod was between 13.0 and 13.5 h in the Sapporo population and between 13.5 and 14.0 h in the Tomakomai population. The hatchability of winter eggs of the Sapporo population collected from the field began to increase in November, and that of the Tomakomai population in December. In the Sapporo population, a 40-day or more exposure to 5°C promoted hatching of winter eggs, and a 50-day exposure of females which had previously laid some winter eggs to 5°C induced the production of summer eggs. Females of the Sapporo population laid winter eggs in autumn, and then themselves overwintered as well, and produced summer eggs in the following spring. These females were called winter-habit females.The winter eggs of both populations were diapausing. However, the winter-habit females of the Sapporo population were not reproductively inactive and their condition of diapause was not certain. The ecological significance of the winter-habit females in the Sapporo population is discussed.     

Effect of temperature and sperm supply on the reproductive potential ofTetranychus evansi (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The biology ofTetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard was studied at five different temperatures on excised leaves ofSolanum douglasii Dunal. The theoretical lower threshold temperature of development was ca. 13°C. The combined immature stages required ca. 148 day-degrees for completion. Progressively later initiation of mating resulted in higher peak proportions of females produced, up to an 8-day period between emergence and mating at 30°C. The proportion of male offspring always increased towards the end of the oviposition period, apparently because of sperm depletion. The calculated intrinsic rate of increase was highest (0.432) at 35°C, the highest temperature tested. At that same temperature, daily oviposition rate and net reproductive rate were maximum (9.5 and 111.77, respectively), and mean generation time and doubling time were minimum (10.92 and 1.6 days, respectively).     

Local variation in diapause characteristics of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acarina: Tetranychidae)

Summary Diapause characteristics of nine local populations of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acarina: Tetranychidae) occurring on rose in central Japan were investigated. The percentage of females that entered diapause at 18° C and 9L: 15D photoperiod ranged between 0 and 77%. In addition, both photoperiodic and temperature responses varied widely among these populations. We suggest that temperature response might be a better trait than photoperiodic response for selection among local populations. Females in diapause survived –24° C better than those that were not. However, no difference in cold hardiness among these populations was found. The mite responded rapidly to artificial selection for low and high diapause percentage. The response was asymmetrical, being easier in the direction of low diapause percentage. Reciprocal and back crosses using selected low and high diapause percentage cultures showed that the genetic control of diapause was complicated. Neither the lowdiapause nor the high-diapause trait dominated over the other. However, the low-diapause trait seemed to be stronger. The results of this study suggest that variation in diapause response is maintained by (1) adaptation to local environments and (2) the complexity of the genetics of diapause. Such variation may provide the genetic raw material for natural selection and is a prerequisite for the extension of ecological range.     

Reproductive isolation between the two forms ofPanonychus akitanus Ehara (Acarina: Tetranychidae)

Crossing experiments were carried out between the stiped-egg form collected from Sapporo (43°04N) and Machida (35°33N), and the stipeless-egg form ofPanonychus akitanus Ehara from Tomakomai (42°37N) and Imagane (42°34N). Intra-form crosses gave a high proportion of female progeny, but inter-form crosses only male progeny, suggesting that fertilization did not take place. The number of eggs laid during the first 10 days of the oviposition period was greater in intra-form crosses than in inter-form crosses (P<0.001). The latter, except for the cross between the Sapporo and the Imagane populations, had similar egg production to virgin females (P<0.05).Mated females showed a greater daily oviposition rate than virgin females. However, the latter drastically increased their oviposition rate after mating with their sons. The two forms are thus reproductively isolated.     

巴氏钝绥螨对柑桔全爪螨的捕食效能

本文研究了巴氏钝绥螨Amblyseius barkeri的雌成螨、雄成螨、若螨在实验条件下对柑桔全爪螨的捕食效能。结果表明：5个实验温度条件下（16、20、24、28和32℃,RH85％）,利用椭圆食粉螨饲养的巴氏钝绥螨Panonychus citri对柑桔全爪螨均有较强的捕食能力;巴氏钝绥螨对柑桔全爪螨的功能反应均属于Holling Ⅱ型。在实验温度范围内,各螨态对柑桔全爪螨的控制能力（α／Th值）随温度升高而增大,在28℃时达到峰值;同一温度条件下,雌成螨的捕食能力最大,若螨其次,雄成螨的捕食能力最弱;在猎物密度固定时,由于巴氏钝绥螨个体之间存在相互竞争和相互干扰作用,随着捕食者密度的提高,捕食者平均捕食量逐渐减少。巴氏钝绥螨对各螨态柑桔全爪螨的取食有选择性,柑桔全爪螨的幼若螨是巴氏钝绥螨的嗜好虫态。     

Photobehavioral classes of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Acarina: Tetranychidae)

A shift in photobehavior and geotaxis in the summer adult female spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, results from water stress. The slow reversal of sign from the green minus to the green plus photobehavioral class is the result of this stress. It is postulated that decrease of internal pressure, as a result of water loss, is perceived by a stretch receptor. A rapid decrease in the response to green illumination by the green⁺ class is caused by high ambient relative humidity. It is postulated that a humidity receptor is involved in this rapid change in behavior.

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Zusammenfassung Wassermangel ergibt bei erwachsenen Sommerweibohen der Spinnmilbe Tetranychus urticae Koch eine Verschiebung im Verhalten zum Licht sowie der Geotaxis. Eine langsame Verschiebung von der grün-negativen zur grün-positiven Klasse ist das Ergebnis einer solchen Belastung. Es wird angenommen, daß als Folge von Wasserverlusten eine Abnahme des Binnendruckes durch Streckrezeptoren wahrgenommen wird. Eine rasche Abnahme der Reaktion auf grüne Beleuchtung wird in der grün-positiven Klasse durch hohe relative Luftfeuchtigkeit der Umgebung hervorgerufen. Es wird angenommen, daß an diesem raschen Verhaltenswechsel ein Feuchtigkeitsrezeptor beteiligt ist.

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Contribution from the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Distribution patterns of and sampling plans forTetranychus urticae Koch (Acarina: Tetranychidae) on roses

I sampled Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acarina: Tetranychidae) regularly from four rose gardens in Kyoto and Nara Prefectures in 1988–1990. When mite density was low, T. urticae showed an uneven vertical distribution, being more abundant in the lower third and absent from the upper third of the plants. Mite density was less variable within than between plants, suggesting that a sampling plan which includes more leaves from different plants rather than from different levels of a plant is favourable. Spatial distribution of T. urticae was nonrandom and followed the negative binomial distribution. In addition, both the Taylor's power law and the Iwao's patchiness regression described the distribution well. An empty-sample method for estimating mite density from the proportion of empty sampling units was developed. Sampling plans for determining the sample size required to reach a predetermined precision level, based on this method and by directly counting the mites, were designed. The counting method was more accurate than the empty-sample method. However, when the time factor was taken into account, the latter was more favourable, because it was faster than the former at a density range of 1.5–300 mites leaf⁻¹, which was most commonly encountered in the field.     

Factors determining the host plant range of the phytophagous mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae): a method for quantifying host plant acceptance

The host plant acceptance of the phytophagous mite Tetranychus urticae was experimentally quantified. Host plant acceptance is described as the proportion of adult females settling on the test plant on which they have been placed. On the other hand, the host plant suitability of T. urticae on different plant species is expressed as the mean number of eggs produced by the females within 5 days (hereafter 'fecundity'). An inbred T. urticae line was tested with regard to host plant acceptance and fecundity on 11 potential host plants. These two variables were positively correlated across host plants; host plant species on which the fecundity was low were also those on which females settled less readily compared to host plants with high fecundity. The characteristics of host plant acceptance of the T. urticae are discussed in light of their potential food resource under natural conditions.     

Effect of temperature and humidity on the development ofPhytoseiulus Persimilis and its ability to regulate populations ofTetranychus urticae [Acarina: Phytoseiidae. Tetranychidae]

The development ofPhytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and the effectiveness of it as a predator ofTetranychus urticae (Koch) were studied at constant temperatures of 15°, 18°, 21°, 24° and 27°C (humidity fluctuations from 60% to 90% R.H.) and at constant humidities of 40% and 80% R.H. at the temperatures 21° and 27°. Optimal temperature for time of development was 27° (at 60%–85% R.H.). A high reduction in egg vitality was recorded at 40% R. H. and 27% At 21° the egg vitality was only slightly lower at 40% R.H. than at 80% R.H. The predator gave control ofT. urticae at temperatures from 15° to 27° (humidity fluctuation from 60%–90% R.H.), and the most rapid and efficient control was obtained at 27° (60%–85% R.H.). The predator did not give sufficient control ofT. urticae at 27° and 40% R.H. At 21° control ofT. urticae was obtained at both 40% and 80% R.H., but the prey population was reduced faster at 80% R.H. than at 40% R.H.     

Coexistence of Tetranychus urticae (Acarina: Tetranychidae) with different capacities for diapause: comparative life-history traits

Summary Individuals of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acarina: Tetranychidae), with and without a capacity for diapause, coexist in central Japan. Diapause appears to be adaptive because females in diapause suffered less mortality than non-diapausing individuals when frozen at –24°C for more than 4 h. However non-diapausing females showed good survival up to 4 h of freezing. Active non-diapausing mites survived on rose leaves in Kyoto (35°N) throughout the winters of 1988–1989 and 1989–1990. Cultures of mites with low (LD) and high (HD) diapause capacities at 18°C and 9L-15D photoperiod were successfully selected from the rose population and from a population on chrysanthemum in Nara (34.4°N). Their life-history traits at 15, 20, 25 and 30°C were characterized. HD and LD mites from both populations were of similar ages at first reproduction at 15–30° C. However, at temperatures 20° C, HD individuals produced more eggs than LD individuals, resulting in higher fecundity and intrinsic rate of natural increase. These traits allow HD individuals, which stop breeding between October and April, to increase faster in summer than LD individuals. This provides a mechanism, together with climatic fluctuations, in maintaining the coexistence of diapausing and non-diapausing T. urticae in Kyoto where winter conditions are rarely lethal to the non-diapausing individuals.