Reductions in Plant Processes by Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) Feeding on Strawberry

Studies were conducted in 1980 to evaluate the effects of low and high population densities of Tetranychus urticae on photosynthesis, transpiration, productivity, and vegetative growth of strawberry plants under field conditions. All factors were significantly reduced by high mite densities. A sequenced mite-day model is presented and includes pertinent points on the population curve where the plant processes were reduced by 10%. The significance of the sequence in which the plant processes were reduced is discussed.