Indian Journal of Entomology

Biology of red spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisd.) was studied through leaf disc technique at 27 ± 1°C on 12 different cucurbit species. Based on minimum mortality during development, shorter larval plus nymphal development and higher fecundity and longevity, musk melon (Cucumis melo var. reticulata Linn.) was found the most preferred host among different cucurbits. The female longevity was higher in cucumber (Cucumis sativa Linn.), wanga (Cucumis melo sub sp. melo Linn.), wild melon (Cucumis melo var. colossus Linn.) and ash gourd (Benincasa hispida Thunb.), but these cucurbits had prolonged larval plus nymphal development and very poor egg laying as compared to that on preferred cucurbits. Wild melon, ash gourd, cucumber and wanga were less preferred hosts considering longer larval plus nymphal development, and more mortality during development on these cucurbits.