Hill, R.L., ODonnell, D.J., 1991.
The host range of Tetranychus lintearius (Acarina: Tetranychidae). Experimental and Applied Acarology, 11: 253-269.
Abstract
The host range of Tetranychus lintearius was examined experimentally to determine if the mite could be safely introduced into New Zealand for the biological control of gorse, Ulex europaeus. The rationale for choosing test plants was the same as that employed for testing insect species as biological control agents. In the field in the UK, mite colonies could be transferred successfully from gorse plant to gorse plant, but could not re-establish on any of 39 other plant species tested. In the laboratory at 25 deg C, the ability of adults to settle on plants, to lay eggs, and for resulting progeny to develop, was measured on 58 plant species other than gorse. Apart from Ulex europaeus and U. minor, development was completed only on Phaseolus vulgaris and Glycine max [soyabeans]. Further experiments using 22 bean cultivars showed that the mite could not complete a 2nd generation on detached leaf cultures, could not form permanent colonies on potted plants in the glasshouse, and remained only a short time when transferred to bean plants in the field. As T. lintearius has only been recorded from Ulex species, it is concluded that this mite is sufficiently host-specific to be safely used as a biological control agent for gorse in New Zealand
