• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.59 no.4
• /
• pp.383-391
• /
• 2020

The vertical distribution and dispersion of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae and its predator, Phytoseiulus persimilis, were investigated within and between green pepper plants. We also tested the effect of an artificial bridge with threads on dispersal of P. persimilis between the plants. The extent of spread of T. urticae depended on its infested density and location. When 10 adults of T. urticae were inoculated on upper leaf, they stayed on the upper leaf until 5 days after inoculation. However, when 100 adults were inoculated on an upper leaf, they dispersed to the lower leaf within a day. In condition that 10 adults of T. urticae were inoculated on the lower leaf, they started to move toward upward within a day. In the absence of T. urticae, P. persimilis tended to move to the leaves where T. urticae was present when both T. urticae and P. persimilis were inoculated together within a plant. An artificial bridge with threads between two plants was helpful to disperse P. persimilis to neighboring plants. Therefore, it would be expected that the dispersal of P. persimilis can be promoted by supplying the artificial bridges among plants and by narrowing the distances between plants.