The tomato red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi, causes damage to cultivated Solanaceae plants (specifically tomato), resulting in a highly negative economic impact. In the current study, some biological parameters of T. evansi were evaluated using four plants as nutritive substrates (Solanum lycopersicum L., S. melongena L., S. macrocarpum L. and Amaranthus hybridus L.). The aforementioned parameters were recorded in laboratory conditions (28 °C, 60–70% RH and 12:12 L:D). Twelve leaf discs of each plant species were used to assess T. evansi’s reproductive parameters. Each leaf disc was separately placed in a Petri dish, covered with moist cotton. Each dish was considered a replicate. The results have indicated a significant effect that the choice of plants had on several biological parameters of T. evansi. In particular, the performance of T. evansi was significantly related to host plants (p = 0.01), as revealed by the duration of their development stages. No larvae reached the protonymph stage on amaranths. Significant differences of fecundity and oviposition (p = 0.01) were observed between females reared on tomatoes and the females reared on other substrates. However, no significant difference was found in female longevity. The offspring’s sex ratio was, in general, biased in favor of females. The differential effect of host plants on T. evansi may be a key factor for exploring integrated management strategies.
Tetranychus evansi, biological parameters, host plants, pest management, tomato red spider mite