Effects of exogenous Jasmonic acid and benzo (1,2,3) thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester (BTH), a functional analogue of salicylic acid, on the egg production of a herbivorous mite Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Abstract

The effects of jasmonic acid (JA) and benzo (1,2,3) thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester (BTH), a functional analogue of salicylic acid, treatment of lima bean plants on the egg production were investigated in a herbivorous mite, Tetranychus urticae. JA and BTH were applied at three concentrations for each treatment to soil in pots containing plants. Only the 0.1 mM JA-treatment significantly reduced the number of eggs laid by T. urticae over a three day period, whereas higher (1 mM) and lower (0.01 mM) concentrations did not affect the egg production of T. urticae. Fewer eggs were laid by T. urticae on lima bean plants treated with 1 mM and 10 mM BTH than with 0.1 mM BTH. These data suggest that JA and BTH are involved in the direct defense of the lima bean plant against T. urticae.