Development of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae koch (acari: tetranychidae) on Rose

Biology of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch was studied on dorsal and ventral surfaces of both fresh and mature leaves of rose at 27 ± 1°C. Mean incubation period was 3.27 days. Mean larval, protonymphal and deutonymphal duration varied from 2.21 to 2.26, 1.01 to 1.04 and 1.02 to 1.85 days, respectively, on both fresh and mature leaves. Mortality during development was quite low on ventral surface of mature leaves (8%) but was maximum on dorsal surface of fresh leaves (41.88%). Mean longevity was higher on dorsal surface of mature leaves (15.04 days). Fecundity was highest on ventral surface of mature leaves (24.77 eggs) but was lowest on dorsal surface of fresh leaves (2.76 eggs per female). Based on lesser mortality during development, shorter larval and nymphal development, and higher fecundity - ventral surface of mature leaves of rose were found more preferred by mite for its development and multiplication.