Evaluation of the Fitness of Tetranychus dunhuangensis (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) to Different Host Plants

Tetranychus dunhuangensis Wang (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) is widely distributed on various crops and fruit trees in southern Xinjiang. The region’s diverse host plants have facilitated the mite’s adaptive evolution, increasing its risks and causing crop yield losses. This study aimed to evaluate T. dunhuangensis’ adaptability, in terms of survival and fecundity, on soybean (Glycine max L.), peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and Korla fragrant pear (Pyrus sinkiangensis Yü) , and identify the most and least suitable among them. The two-sex life table theory was used to systematically compare the life history traits and population parameters of T. dunhuangensis under laboratory conditions of (temperature: 26 ± 1℃, relative humidity: 60% ± 5%, and photoperiod: 16h L : 8h D ). Results showed that the shortest developmental duration (8.469 ± 0.052 d) and highest total fecundity (129.473 ± 7.916 eggs/female) occurred on soybean, which also had the highest intrinsic rate of increase (r = 0.337 ± 0.006 d⁻¹). In contrast, Korla fragrant pear had the longest preadult developmental duration (10.75 ± 0.118 d) and the lowest total fecundity (14.656 ± 2.886 eggs/female) . Overall, soybean is the most suitable host for T. dunhuangensis, followed by peanut, while Korla fragrant pear is the least suitable. This conclusion provides a theoretical basis for formulating control strategies against T. dunhuangensis.