Laboratory studies on the host range of the phytophagous mite, Oligonychus mangiferus (Rahman and Sapra).
Sadana G. L., Chander S.
Author Affiliation: Zoology Department, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004, Punjab, India.
Science and Culture 44 : 411-413
Abstract : Oligonychus mangiferus (Rahm. & Sapra), which is known as a pest of various plants including mango and other fruit trees, was found during a survey of phytophagous mites in the Ludhiana district of the Indian State of Punjab on 6 plant species from which it had not previously been recorded. To ascertain the true food-plants, 29 species were tested in the laboratory. Of these, 13 species (including the 6 new ones and pear, peach, litchi, grapevine and mango) proved suitable for oviposition and larval development as well as adult feeding, the highest rate of multiplication occurring on grapevine and mango; 10 species were suitable for adult feeding but not for larval development, and 6 were unsuitable even for adult feeding.