Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 July 2009
The resistance of two melon lines (CHI-7 and BUS-7) selected for resistance to the carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval), and of the susceptible line (NY), was studied under field and laboratory conditions. Significant differences among lines were observed at different growth stages. Throughout the season, the resistant lines had reduced populations of mites, 35–100% lower on CHI-7 and 25–100% lower on BUS-7, compared with the susceptible line NY. Laboratory evaluation of antibiosis to the mite at different plant growth stages showed that on CHI-7 and BUS-7 mite fecundity was reduced by 29–60% and 43–83%, respectively.