Seasonal incidence of Spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch) on Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) under polyhouse condition

Population of two spotted red spider mite, Tetranychus urticae were recorded on gerbera cv Stanza under polyhouse condition from January 2010–11 to 2015–16. Mite population remained active round the year under polyhouse conditions. On the basis of pooled data, the first distinct peak was observed during 27^th SMW, while the second distinct peak was observed during 35^th SMW. The distribution of spider mite on plant canopy showed that the maximum population was on top strata followed by middle and bottom strata of gerbera plant. The correlation studies between internal average temperature and relative humidity of polyhouse with spider mite population indicated that the mite had a significant positive correlation with average temperature while the average relative humidity at the time of observation had significant negative correlation with spider mite population.