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1996 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

Evolution of the host range in spider mites

Research Project

Project/Area Number 07660057
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field 植物保護
Research InstitutionKYOTO UNIVERSITY

Principal Investigator

TAKAFUJI Akio  Kyoto Univ., Graduate School of Agriculture, Professor, 農学研究科, 教授 (50026598)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) HINOMOTO Norihide  Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Research Scientist, 昆虫・遺伝育種部農業技術研究所, 研究員
YANO Shuichi  Kyoto Univ., Graduate School of Agriculture, Research Associate, 農学研究科, 助手 (30273494)
Project Period (FY) 1995 – 1996
Keywordshost range / Tetranychus / host adaptability / RAPD / plasticity
Research Abstract

Phytophagous mites of the genus Tetranychus are highly polyphagous and occurs on a variety of plant species. However, the host adaptability of the mites, as expressed by their survival and oviposition rates, varies greatly among the plant species, and some species such as chrysanthemums are very unfavorable to them. This study elucidated the mechnisms that determine the host range of the mites, with special emphasis on the two-spotted spider mite, T.urticae, one of the most important agricultural pests. The results of the study are summarized as follows. Genetic, intraspecific variations exist in the host adaptability of T.urticae, and the ecological performance on unfavorable hosts is enhanced very rapidly by an artificial selection that may occur also in agricultural ecosystems. However, whether or not the mites can stay and settle on an unsuitable host is largely affected by their previous experiences on the host through feeding experience and also by the experience of the odur that is emitted by the plant. Even if the mites experienced only the odur, their acceptability of the unfavorable host was greatly increased. Thus, the mites have high behavioral plasticity in adapting to new hosts. Unmated females have much higher plasticity than mated ones, to unfavorable hosts. The analysis using RAPD method suggested that genetic differentiation is not unlikely to occur among different host species in polyphagous spider mites, such as T.urticae. We conclude that the host acceptability of T.urticae, which has a very low dispersal ability, is enhanced by the non-genetic, behavioral change of the mites, and it is then accerelated by genetic selection pressure that will act on the mite population.

  • Research Products

    (2 results)

All Other

All Publications (2 results)

  • [Publications] Takafuji,A.: "Ecological performance or the spider mite, Tetranychus okinawa : nus Ehara (Acari, Tetranychidae),a speies newly described from Okinawa Islands(1)" Journal of Acarological Society of Japan. 5. 83-88 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] Takefuji, A., T.Yokotsuka, K.Goka and H.Kishimoto: "Ecological performance of the spider mite, Tetranychus Okinawanui Ehara (Acari, Tetranyclridae), a species newly clescribed from Okinawa Islands (1)" Jourmal of Acarological Society of Japan. 5. 83-88 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より

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Published: 1999-03-09  

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