Chemical and morphological factors of resistance against the twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) in beach strawberry Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Duchesne

Host-plant resistance is an important component of integrated pest management. Host resistance to phytophagous insects and mites based on chemical and morphological characteristics has been identified in various agronomic crops. The present study was undertaken to examine how variation in selected morphological and chemical characteristics of beach strawberry Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Duchesne affects population parameters of the twospotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch. The results from this study show that clones of F. chiloensis and the cultivar "Totem" vary in suitability for the twospotted spider mite. Selected clones of F. chiloensis and the cultivar "Totem" differed also in the following foliar characteristics: densities of glandular and nonglandular trichomes and concentrations of total and catechol-based phenolics. In contrast, qualitative analysis of phenolic compounds, determined via HPLC, revealed a close similarity between F. chiloensis and F. x ananassa (cultivated strawberry) and among selected clones of F. chiloensis. Mite oviposition was negatively correlated with densities of glandular and nonglandular trichomes and concentrations of total foliar phenolics. In spite of these significant relationships, mite oviposition was best predicted by a combination of interacting plant characteristics rather than by any individual characteristic. Entrapment by sticky exudates from glandular trichomes appears to explain the negative relationship between mite survival and density of glandular trichomes. Spider mite development was negatively related to concentrations of foliar phenolics; twospotted spider mite development is delayed on leaves with high concentrations of phenolics. The correlation between mite development and foliar phenolics was greater when catechol-based phenolics were used.Land and Food Systems, Faculty ofGraduat