Genetics of diapause supression in the two-spotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticae Koch

Starting from the Sambucus strain of the two-spotted spider miteTetranychus urticae Koch, the strains ND₁ and ND₂ were selected for lack of diapause under a short-day regimen (LD 1014, 18°C). The genetic basis of the suppression of diapause in ND₁ and ND₂ was analysed by means of mendelian crosses and backcrosses, using the photoperiodic cycle LD 1014 as diagnostic for the distinction of diapausing and non-diapausing phenotypes. Suppression of diapause is inherited as a recessive trait. From backcross analysis it was concluded that the suppression of diapause in ND₁ and ND₂ is under monogenic control. The major genes for suppression of diapause in ND₁ and ND₂ are alleles at a locus designated asd. A mutation for albinism of the locusa-p is pleiotropic for suppression of diapause. It was shown from crosses between ND₁ and the albino strain, thatd anda-p are distinct loci.