Abstract
Our research was designed to determine the effects of a mite complex consisting of the Banks grass mite (BGM),Oligonychus pratensis (Banks), and the two-spotted spider mites (TSM),Tetranychus urticae Koch, on corn yield and plant lodging. For BGM, mite days and damage rating for the whole plant and leaves in the lower third of a corn plant had the best correlation with corn yield. The best correlation with yield for TSM was plant damage ratings. The percentage loss per unit for most independent variables (mite densities, mite days, or percentage of the leaf area damaged on a plant) was very similar for BGM and TSM. Therefore, the same economic threshold can be used for either mite species. When TSM fed on corn in the dent growth stage, yield was not reduced, and their feeding did not influence corn plant lodging.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
ArcherT.L. and BynumJr.E.D. 1990. Economic injury level for the Banks grass mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) on corn. J. Econ. Entomol. 83: 1069–1073.
BaconO.G., LyonsT. and BaskettR.S. 1962. Effects of spider mite infestations on dent corn in California. 55: 823–825.
ChandlerL.D., ArcherT.L., WardC.R. and LyleW.M. 1979. Influences of irrigation practices on spider mite densities on field corn. Environ. Entomol. 8: 196–201.
EhlerL.E. 1973. Spider mites associated with grain sorghum and corn in Texas. J. Econ. Entomol. 66: 1220.
EhlerL.E. 1974. A review of the spider-mite problem on grain sorghum and corn in West Texas. TX Agric. Exp. Stn. Bull. 1149: 1–15.
FeeseH. and WildeG. 1977. Factors affecting survival and reproduction of the Banks grass mite,Oligonychus pratensis. Environ. Entomol. 6: 53–56.
HutchinsS.H., HigleyL.G., and PedigoL.P. 1988. Injury equivalency as a basis for developing multiple-species economic injury levels. J. Econ. Entomol. 81: 1–8.
KlostermeyerE.C. 1961. Effect of mite control on corn yield. J. Econ. Entomol. 54: 608–609.
LoganJ.A., CongdonB.D. and AllredgeJ.K. 1983. Ecology and control of spider mites on corn in northeastern Colorado. Colorado State Univ. Exp. Stn. Bull 585S: 1–41.
Morrison, W.P., Cronholm, G.B., Parker, R.D., Stewart, J.W., Patrick, C.D., and Archer, T.L. 1991. Managing insect and mite pests of Texas Corn. TX Agric. Ext. Serv. Bull. B-1366. 14pp.
PetrF.C. and BremerJ.E. 1976. Keys to profitable corn production on the high plains. TX Agric. Ext. Serv. MP. 1275: 1–7.
RuppelR.F. 1983. Cumulative insect-days as an index of crop protection. J. Econ. Entomol 76: 375–377.
SAS Institute. 1987. SAS user's guide: statistics. SAS Institute, Cary, N.C.
SloderbeckP.E., MorrisonW.P., PatrickC.D., and BuschmanL.L. 1988. Seasonal shift in species composition of spider mites on corn in the western Great Plains. South. Entomol. 13: 63–68.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Archer, T.L., Bynum, E.D. Yield loss to corn from feeding by the Banks grass mite and two-spotted spider mite (Acari: Tetranychidae). Exp Appl Acarol 17, 895–903 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02328066
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02328066