Abstract
The site on which adult female Banks grass mite,Oligonychus pratensis (Banks), settled when placed on corn (Zea mays L.) leaves was significantly influenced by light, leaf surface, and gravity. Mites chose the abaxial side of corn leaves when light was excluded as a factor. With a light source present, the mites went to and stayed on the leaf surface away from light. In the absence of light and leaf-surface influences, gravity showed significant effect on the choice of the under site of corn leaves by the mites; this effect also existed with light present, and acted in concert with normal light conditions (i.e., light from above). Results suggest that both heat and ultraviolet light may be responsible for the observed light effect.
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Li, J., Margolies, D.C. Factors affecting location of Banks grass mite,Oligonychus pratensis (Acari: Tetranychidae), on corn leaves. Exp Appl Acarol 12, 27–34 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01204397
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01204397