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An investigation into the morphology and biology ofTetranychus lintearius Dufour (Acari: Tetranychidae)

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Abstract

The colonial stenophagous spider miteTetranychus lintearius Dufour is a possible biological control agent for gorse (Ulex spp.) in New Zealand. Aspects of the morphology and biology of this mite were investigated. A morphological description of all life stages was produced, noting the morphological features which distinguishT. lintearius fromT. urticae Koch andT. cinnabarinus (Boisduval). The specific morphological characters ofT. lintearius were identified as the male tarsal empodium II and the aedeagus. A notable morphological feature observed in the females was the variability in the dorsal tegumentary striae between the third and fourth pair of dorsocentral opisthosomal setae and the variable intensity and shape of the dorsal strial lobes. This variability may be due to intraspecific variability or to the age of the females. The biology ofT. lintearius was investigated by observing mites on gorse shoot tips enclosed by acetate cylindrical sleeves or on gorse seedlings. The average developmental rates at 25, 23, 20 and 15°C; fecundity; longevity; sex ratio and extent of diapause were determined.T. lintearius has a slower rate of development than other related tetranychid species.

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  1. Christine Stone

    Present address: Forestry Commission of New South Wales, P.O. Box 100, 2119, Beecroft, N.S.W., Australia

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  1. Imperial College, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire, UK

    Christine Stone

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  1. Christine Stone
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Stone, C. An investigation into the morphology and biology ofTetranychus lintearius Dufour (Acari: Tetranychidae). Exp Appl Acarol 2, 173–186 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01213760

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01213760

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