The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus uticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), is globally one of the most devastating pests that feed on numerous crops, including common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of genotype and morphological attributes of common bean on T. uticae. Forty common bean accessions were used to investigate antixenosis and antibiosis through assessing mite feeding preference and reproduction under laboratory conditions. Three resistant (i.e., 56, 63, 238) and two susceptible (i.e., 182, 236) accessions, along with cultivars Naz (resistant) and Akhtar (susceptible), were used in a life-table study. Both antixenosis and antibiosis mechanism were observed in all of the accessions, albeit a negative correlation occurred. Significant differences were observed for all traits of T. urticae: developmental time of immature stages, reproduction, adult longevity and life-table parameters. Based on the intrinsic rate of increase, the accessions 56, 63, 182, 238, and cv. Naz impose high antibiotic effects on T. urticae. Although significant variation existed among accessions for morphological factors, only glandular trichomes correlated with mite fecundity and feeding preference.
Keywords: Antibiosis; Antixenosis; Common bean; Structural defense; Tetranychus urticae.