Biolocigal features and life tables of Tetranychus urticae (Koch) (Acari: Tetranycidae) on different table tomato varieties

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the host plant resistance to T. urticae by comparing the biodemographic data of the mite, such as survival, development, oviposition, population fluctuation and the life table parameters of T. urticae on four table tomato varieties. Leaflets from four tomato varieties (Swanson, Super Red, Dante and Alsancak) were assayed with the spider mite to detect the mite's the egg hatching, development duration, survival, sex rates, intrinsic rate (rm), reproductive rate (Ro), mean generation time (To) and gross reproduction rate (GRR). The study showed that when T. urticae fed on different tomato varieties, there is no statistically difference among the total developmental time of the mite, although the differences among varieties were shown in terms of egg hatching and juvenile stages. Whereas, Ro (112,80 and 130,89), To (16,75 and 16,81) and GRR (115,7 and 131,02) of Alsancak and Dante varieties, respectively, were significantly higher than the mite feds on Super Red (Ro =60,4; To = 26,7; GRR = 66,9) and Swanson (Ro =49,4; To = 25,3; GRR = 56,9). The mite population level during 15 days on Alsancak varieties was significantly higher compared with that on other tomato varieties. Thus, the findings indicate a possible susceptible of the Alsancak, which is plant parasitic nematodes resistance variety, against T. urticae. Thus, the results indicate that Swanson variety is more resistant to T. urticae compared with the other tomato varieties.