Daily Rhythm of Oviposition in the Two-Spotted Spider Mite1

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Abstract
Adult females of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, showed a daily rhythm of oviposition when the mites were maintained in an LD 14:10 cycle (14 hr of light alternating with 10 hr of darkness). The frequency of egg laying was observed in two different mite populations; one maintained in normal light-dark conditions (light from 8 AM to 10 PM., EST) and the other kept in a reversed light-dark cycle (light from 6 PM to 8AM, EST). In both populations the oviposition frequency dropped shortly after experimental nightfall, remained at a low level throughout the night period, and increased to the higher daytime levels shortly after dawn.