Abstract
The population growth of the tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici (Massee), and its effect on tomato plants were studied in glasshouses. The population increased exponentially for six weeks after infestation. The intrinsic rate of natural increase was estimated to be 0.175 per day. At seven weeks after infestation, the predator, Homeopronematus anconai (Baker) (Acari: Tydeidae), appeared on several plants. The population of A. lycopersici decreased rapidly on plants where the predator appeared, due to predation. But it decreased gradually on plants where the predator did not appear, because of the damage to the host plant caused by the mites. More than 70% of the population infested the leaves. A. lycopersici first reproduced on the released leaves then moved upward. The infestation caused great injury to the plants, with a large number of leaves turning brown and then drying up. The number of leaves, the plant height and the diameter of the main stem of the plants all decreased.
