Feeding biology of Tetranychus ludeni Zacher (Acari: Tetranychidae) on velvet bean
2011
Kaimal, Sangeetha G. | Ramani, N.
Feeding characteristics and damage induced by the spider mite, Tetranychus ludeni Zacher on the detached leaves of the velvet bean Mucuna deeringiana were evaluated in the laboratory at 30 + 2°C and 70 + 5% RH. Cultivation of mite-infested (M⁺) and mite-free (M⁻) host plants was done by constructing block design plots and replicated. Live cultures of different stages of mites were also maintained in the laboratory using leaf flotation technique. The results showed that T. ludeni could infest almost all age groups of leaves though the middle aged ones showed high population densities. Further, the upper leaf lamina was the preferable feeding site of the mite. Concomitant with feeding, deposition of two types of faecal pellets (black & white) were a notable feature. These pellets exhibited hygroscopic property in accordance with the ambient RH on the leaf surface. The results further reflected on the highly complex colony structure of T. ludeni through silken webbing of the individuals. Analysis of damage symptoms revealed extensive bleaching and chlorosis of the leaves. Chlorophyll loss was significant at 1% levels. Per cent loss in chlorophyll ‘a’ and ‘b’ recorded 79.26 + 4.3 % and 74.09 + 4.07 % respectively
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