The Effect of Plant Nutrition on the Fecundity of Two Strains of Two-Spotted Spider Mite1

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Abstract
Two strains of two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus telarius (L.)), widely different in susceptibility to organophosphorus acaricides, produced more progeny on lima bean plants as nitrogen supply and absorption were increased, However, in studies with resistant mites, a reduction in the number of progeny occurred on plants supplied the highest nitrogen level. The resistant mites produced more progeny on plants supplied high potassium levels, and the nonresistant mites on plants supplied high phosphorus levels. Increases in the number of progeny produced by either strain were correlated with the carbohydrate content of the leaf tissue. when carbohydrate was increased, with a corresponding increase in nitrogen supply and absorption, mites produced more progeny. At certain higher level of nitrogen supply and absorption, however, carbohydrate content of leaf tissue decreased and mites produced fewer progeny of failed to produce more progeny even though nitrogen absorption of the plant increased. Phosphorus and potassium supply alone and in combination with certain levels of nitrogen supply affected nitrogen absorption and total carbohydrate content of the leaf tissue.