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Effects of microenvironment on the dynamics of spider-mite populations

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Abstract

The relationship between environmental variables (chiefly temperature and humidity) and the population dynamics of spider mites is reviewed. Both direct effects on the spider mites and indirect effects operating through effects on spider mite natural enemies (mainly phytoseiid mites) are discussed. Factors determining the environmental conditions actually experienced by spider mites (microenvironment) are presented.

Microenvironmental information versus environmental information from nearby weather stations is evaluated for utility in predicting spider mite population dynamics. A comprehensive plant canopy/spider mite/phytoseiid model is used to simulate an irrigated maize/spider-mite/phytoseiid system in a semi-arid climate. Under nearly all tested combinations of weather and irrigation, substantial differences were seen between simulations that considered microenvironment and those that considered only environmental conditions above the plant canopy. Future research needs are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska, 68583-0816, Lincoln, NE, (U.S.A.)

    T. O. Holtzer, J. S. Berry & J. C. Heintz

  2. Department of Agronomy, University of Nebraska, 68583-0910, Lincoln, NE, (U.S.A.)

    J. M. Norman

  3. Department of Entomology, University of California, 92521, Riverside, CA, (U.S.A.)

    T. M. Perring

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  1. T. O. Holtzer
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  2. J. M. Norman
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  3. T. M. Perring
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  4. J. S. Berry
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  5. J. C. Heintz
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Holtzer, T.O., Norman, J.M., Perring, T.M. et al. Effects of microenvironment on the dynamics of spider-mite populations. Exp Appl Acarol 4, 247–264 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01196189

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