An Evaluation of the Rate of Reproduction of the Two-Spotted Spider Mite Reared on Gibberellin-Treated Bean Plants1

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Abstract
An investigation was established to determine if populations of two-spotted spider mites, Tetranychus telarius (L.), were affected when reared on Tendergreen variety of snap beans treated with gibberellin. Five treatments of gibberellin were evaluated utilizing the excised leaf-disc method. Four mite-disc arrangements were included in each treatment. There were significant reductions in mite populations on plants treated with certain gibberellin applications. There appeared to be differences resulting from factors other than direct plant growth. The rate of reproduction of mites was low on treated plants, but rose rapidly and became almost normal when these mites were returned to untreated plants. Mites raised on untreated plants and transferred to treated plants showed a drop in reproduction within one generation.