Intercrop relationships and spider mite dispersal in a corn/peanut agro-ecosystem
1982
BRANDENBURG, R.L. | KENNEDY, G.G.
Crawling was determined to be an important dispersal mechanism for spider mites leaving border vegetation and entering corn fields early in the season. This dispersal did not appear important in peanut fields. Large populations of spider mites in field corn were found responsible for subsequent infestations in peanuts. As corn plants senesced, mites began crawling to the periphery of the corn plant and grouping in masses on leaf tips, tassels and silks. During this period of mite movement, large numbers of mites were dispersed from the corn on wind currents and carried to nearby host plants. Aerial trapping verified this dispersal of mites and their subsequent colonization of previously uninfested peanut fields. Mites labelled in corn with a fluorescent powder were later found on peanut plants confirming the interhost movement.
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