[Standardization of a rearing procedure of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) on bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): plant age and harvest time].
A rearing technique was standardized to produce Tetranychus urticae Koch on Phaseolus vulgaris (ICA Cerinza variety) as a prey of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot. Two assays were conducted to assess the following variables: 1. the most suitable plant age for mite infestation, 2. the best time to harvest the mites and reinfest the plants. In the first experiment, four-, five-, six-, and seven-week-old plants of P. vulgaris were infested with six T. urticae per foliole. The lower plant stratum exhibited the largest number of mites regardless of plant age. However, four-week-old plants had the larger average number of individuals. In the second experiment four-week-old plants were infested with 0.5 female mite/cm(2) of leaf. The number of individuals per instar of T. urticae was recorded weekly. The highest mite production occurred between four and five weeks after infestation, indicating this to be the most suitable for mite harvesting and for plant reinfestation.
Bustos
Alexander
A
Facultad de Ciencias, Univ Militar Nueva Granada, Bogotá, Colombia.
Cantor
Fernando
F
Cure
José R
JR
Rodríguez
Daniel
D
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008925:Mites / Q000502:physiology; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D027805:Phaseolus / Q000469:parasitology; D040102:Tetranychidae / Q000254:growth & development*; D013997:Time Factors