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.敦煌叶螨（Tetranychus dunhuangensis Wang，绒螨目：叶螨科）广泛分布于新疆南部的多种作物与果树上。该区域多样的寄主植物推动了该螨的适应性演化，加剧了其危害风险并造成作物减产。本研究旨在评估敦煌叶螨在大豆（Glycine max L.）、花生（Arachis hypogaea L.）、棉花（Gossypium hirsutum L.）、甜菜（Beta vulgaris L.）以及库尔勒香梨（Pyrus sinkiangensis Yü）上的生存与繁殖适应性，并筛选出其中最适与最不适寄主。本研究采用两性生命表理论，在实验室条件（温度：26±1℃，相对湿度：60%±5%，光周期：16L:8D）下系统比较了敦煌叶螨的生活史特征与种群参数。结果显示，敦煌叶螨在大豆上的发育历期最短（8.469±0.052 d）、总产卵量最高（129.473±7.916 粒/雌），其内禀增长率亦最高（r=0.337±0.006 d⁻¹）。与之相反，库尔勒香梨上的敦煌叶螨未成熟期发育历期最长（10.75±0.118 d）、总产卵量最低（14.656±2.886 粒/雌）。综合来看，大豆是敦煌叶螨最适寄主，其次为花生，而库尔勒香梨为其最不适寄主。该研究结论为制定敦煌叶螨的防控策略提供了理论依据。