Biological parameters of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) on strawberry cultivars in Ecuador

The two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch, is considered to be the main pest to strawberry crops, and because of this, strategies to manage TSSM pest populations are necessary. Herbivore life history parameters are useful tools for evaluating resistance or susceptibility of host plants to pests. Under room environment conditions (18.0 ± 1.0 °C, 66.0 ± 10 % RH and 12:12 photoperiod), developmental times and reproductive parameters of T. urticae were evaluated on strawberry cultivars (‘Monterrey’ and ‘Albión’). Total developmental time (egg- adult) did not show significant differences by effect of the strawberry cultivar; however differences referring only to duration of egg, larvae and protonymphal stages were detected. Conversely, longevity, Oviposition and post-oviposition periods on ‘Albión’ were 17.9, 12.9 and 9.9% higher than on ‘Monterrey’. Also, total number of eggs and daily oviposition rates were 55 and 58.7% higher on ‘Albión’ leaves. No differences were detected during the first oviposition days, but after day 5, significantly more eggs per day were observed on ‘Albión’. The results indicate that ‘Albión’ is more suitable for T. urticae development. Based on performance of T. urticae on these two strawberry cultivars, planted in Ecuador, our results can be considered in the development of an integrated pest management program for this mite