Evaluation of the resistance of Coffea canephora to Oligonychus ilicis (Acari: Tetranychidae) and the preimaginal conditioning effect on resistance using a biological life table

Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae), is one of the most important mite pests found in coffee plants. One way to reduce intensive pest attacks is management via resistant plants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the resistance of 14 C. canephora genotypes to O. ilicis by antixenosis and antibiosis mechanisms and to determine the preimaginal conditioning effect on resistant genotypes using O. ilicis reared on C. canephora. Resistance by antixenosis was not found; however, nine genotypes showed resistance to O. ilicis via an antibiosis mechanism. Two of these resistant genotypes showed a more persistent resistance than the O. ilicis reared on C. canephora, which indicated that a previous host can affect the selection of a genotype by O. ilicis. The study may provide a model to evaluate the preimaginal conditioning effect on plant resistance, which can be useful for plant breeders.