Saito, Y., Takahashi, K., 1980.
Study on variation of Schizotetranychus celarius (Banks). Japanese Journal of Applied Entomology and Zoology, 24: 62-70.
Abstract
Nine populations of Schizotetranychus celarius (Banks) from dwarf bamboo (Sasa spp., Pleioblastus sp.) in Japan were examined in relation to morphology and behaviour. Morphological variations in the dorsal propodosomal seta P2 and the dorsocentral hysterosomal seta D2 were conspicuous among the 9 populations. A comparison of the field and laboratory populations showed that the variation in these setae was fixed for each local population and was consistent in each generation. Three groups (with short, medium and long setae, respectively) could be distinguished among these populations. Nest webs constructed under laboratory conditions by the females varied in size for different populations, the trend following that of the setae. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that the features of P2 and D2 exerted an important influence on the nest-web size. Behavioural observations on the females in the nest web showed that these setae appeared to operate as sensors for the recognition of the woven roof of the nest
