Bionomics and Damage of Schizotetranychus Baltazari Rimando on Curry Leaf Murraya Koenigii

Females of Schizotetranychus baltazari Rimando revealed a shorter developmental period of 20.95 and 10.07 days compared to males with 24.11 and 10.17 days at 20°C and 32°C, respectively. The developmental time was reverse at 30°C, when male developed faster (7.83 days) compared to female (8.50 days). Mated females laid significantly more eggs (35.28/female) at 25°C over an oviposition period of 13.04 days. Higher Intrinsic Rate of Natural Increase (r_m) value of 0.097, higher Net Reproduction Rate (Ro) of 33.24 female offsprings/female/generation and higher female biased sex ratio of 1:5.10 () indicated preferential multiplication at 25°C. Adaxial feeding of mite on Murraya koenigii leaves resulted in grey spotting, discrete peelings of epidermal layer, greyish white appearance of entire leaf ultimately leading to withering, defoliation and qualitative damage of reduction in nutritive factors (chlorophyll, carbohydrates and proteins) and secondary compounds (flavonoids, tannins and phenols).