Comparative infestation of red spider mite, Tetranychus macfarlanei and abundance of phytoseiid predator, Neoseiulus longispinosus on okra germplasms across growing seasons under Bangalore conditions

Abstract

Field screening of 36 okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) germplasm entries including a wild type okra, Abelmoschus manihot tetraphyllus for infestation by red spider mite, Tetranychus macfarlanei Baker and Pritchard was carried out during early summer (March to June 2014) and late kharif (Sept. to Dec. 2014) seasons under Bangalore conditions. Comparatively, red spider mite incidence on okra entries was more during kharif season compared to the summer season. Variety Aruna recorded the lowest mite load of 1 and 19.11 mites/4cm2 leaf area during summer and kharif seasons, respectively. The highest mite population on individual okra entries during summer was 44.73 mites on Varsha Uphar and during kharif season, it was 106.17 mites on VRO-5, closely followed by Varsha Uphar with 104.18 mites. During the summer season, greater activity of phytoseiid predator, Neoseiulus longispinosus (Evans) observed was refractive and significant in terms of lower incidence of the spider mite, T. macfarlanei, on almost all okra entries.