Influence of temperature and host plants on the development and fecundity of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Acarina: Tetranychidae)

Abstract

Temperature plays a key role in the time needed for development of Tetranychus urticae. It developed fastest at 35°C (6.50 d) and 30°C (6.93 d), while at 15°C it took 16.23 d. The higher the temperature, the faster the development of the mite. As to host plants involved, T. urticae developed fastest on Phaseolus vulgaris (9.42 d), followed by Cucumis sativus (10.26 d) and Capsicum annuum (10.92 d). Fecundity was highest at a temperature of 30°C (89.1 eggs), and lowest at 15°C (58.6 eggs). The fecundity of female mites increased with temperatures up to 30°C, but at 35°C it had decreased (71.08 eggs). The host plant influenced female fecundity to a limited extent; the average on Phaseolus vulgaris was 79.28 eggs, 71.48 on Capsicum annuum and 71.22 on Cucumis sativus.