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

• Published in: Experimental & applied acarology Vol. 22; no. 10; pp. 595 - 601
• Main Authors: YANO, S, WAKABAYASHI, M, TAKABAYASHI, J, TAKAFUII, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.10.1998; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Fecundity; Food resources; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Host plants; Mites; Plant species; Protozoa. Invertebrata; Tetranychidae; Tetranychus urticae; Tetranychidae; Acariformes; Arachnida; Host suitability; Pest; Phytophagous; Tetranychus urticae; Acari; Animal plant relation; Actinedida; Arthropoda; Host plant; Host range; Invertebrata; Fecundity; Quantitative analysis
• ISSN: 0168-8162; 1572-9702
• DOI: 10.1023/a:1006138527904

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.