Biological Performance of Tetranychus bastosi (Acari: Tetranychidae) on different hosts

Tetranychus bastosi Tuttle, Baker and Sales (Acari: Tetranychidae) has been observed in more than 36 host species it is considered a potential pest mite for several crops, however its occurrence still restricted to Brazil. The present study determined the biological, reproductive parameters preference of T. three plant species: Morus rubra L. (Moraceae); Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae); Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae). incubation period eggs was longer M. (5.9 days), followed by I. P. (4.0 days both). longest larval (5.7 days). durations protonymph deutonymph stages were recorded (3 days) (2.3 However, could not complete life cicle on guajava. from egg adult (30 highest longevity hosts (39.8 30.2 days, respectively). average duration generation (T) 21.3 days. Nevertheless, intrinsic capacity population increase (rm) finite rate (λ) no differences rubra. In this sense, presents high biological performance rubra, suitable red spider mite.