HOST-PLANT ACCEPTANCE BY REDLEGGED EARTH MITE, HALOTYDEUS-DESTRUCTOR (TUCKER) (ACARINA, PENTHALEIDAE)

Host plant acceptance behavior of redlegged earth mites (Halotydeus de structor) on cotyledons of subterranean clover (subclover) lines was i nvestigated in the laboratory. Sustained feeding consisted of a series of short bouts of feeding; rather than one long period of feeding. H- destructor preferred to feed at mite-damaged rather than undamaged sit es on cotyledons. With time the numbers of mites feeding in aggregatio ns increased, as mites were attracted to damaged patches. Most feeding occurred in aggregations, and mites in such groups benefited by great er weight gain. The sequence of foraging leading to feeding was simila r between subclover lines; however, feeding and aggregation activities were markedly reduced on a resistant line. Host plant acceptance occu rred during probing but only after some feeding had occurred.