Distribution of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acarina,Tetranychidae) over the leaves of different cucumber cultivars

Distribution of spider mites over cucumber leaves is determined by the topical trophic specialization of the pest manifested in preference for the central leaf zone. After artificial infestation of leaves with female mites, the modified aggregated distribution of the pest depended on the number of mites on the leaf, the morpho-physiological state and stage of development of the leaf and the whole plant, and the cucumber cultivar.