Biological aspects of the two-spotted spider mite on strawberry plants under silicon application

ABSTRACT Silicon is an inducer of plant resistance to arthropod pests, being a promising strategy for integrated management. The aim this study was evaluate the effect silicon on biological, reproductive and population aspects parental F1 generations two-spotted spider mite strawberry plants. Potassium silicate, nanosilica water were applied Two-spotted females confined leaf disks oviposition and, after hatching, larvae observed until emergence adults. Once adults had been obtained, couples formed in order pre-oviposition, oviposition, longevity fertility, with estimated net reproduction rate, intrinsic rate increase, finite increase necessary time doubling generation. prolonged duration some immature stages mites generations, did not affect whole biological cycle, though. periods generation negatively affected by potassium silicate nanosilica. parameters indicated that able lead long-run decrease pest population.