Abstract: The development and population dynamics of the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGregor) on 14 citrus varieties were studied by methods of filed test, laboratory experiment, life-tables and reproduction ability. The results indicated that there were significant differences in population density of the mite on different citrus varieties, with that on Beibei 447 sweet orange, Taiwan bampeiyu pummelo and Diangjiang white-flesh pummelo higher, and that on Ponkan NL the lowest. There were also notable discrepancies in the developmental duration, female adult longevity, egg production and other examined parameters of the mite on different varieties in the laboratory: the female adult longevity was the longest on Taiwan bampeiyu pummelo, second longest on Diangjiang white-flesh pummelo, the shortest on Ponkan NL; the egg production was the highest on Taiwan bampeiyupummelo, second highest on Diangjiang white-flesh pummelo and Wubu red flesh pummelo, the lowest on Ponkan NL; and the innate capacity of increase (r_m) was the biggest on Diangjiang white-flesh pummelo, second biggest on Shatian pummelo and Taiwan bampeiyupummelo, the smallest on Jin Dan. Judged with the life parameters of the experimental populations of the mite, Jin Dan and Ponkan NL were citrus varieties resistant to the mite, while Taiwan bampeiyu pummelo, Diangjiang white-flesh pummeloand Beibei 447 sweet orange were susceptible to the mite. Considered in larger groups, pummelo varieties and Beibei 447 as sweet orange varieties were more susceptible to the mite; Jin Dan as Fortunella varieties and Ponkan NL as mandarin varieties were less susceptible to the mite; other varieties were moderate in resistance. Between sweet orange varieties and mandarin varieties, the former showed high susceptibility to the mite, while the latter except Zaojin Wase showed low susceptibility.

Key words: Citrus, variety, Panonychus citri, population dynamics, resistance to mites