Abstract: In order to understand the resistance level of different tomato lines to the tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici (Massee), the development of the mite was studied in the field and laboratory on 12 tomato lines (the more hair lines, YZ618 and YZ619; the less hair lines, YZ419, YZ507 and YZ504; the wild lines, YZ7 and YZ5; the yellow-leaf line YZ401; the conventional lines, YZ406, YZ412, YZ413 and YZ515). The results indicated that there were significant differences in population density of the mite on different tomato lines, which was high on YZ504, YZ507 and YZ419 and low on YZ7, YZ618 and YZ619. There were also notable discrepancies in the survival rate, developmental duration, egg production and other examined parameters of the experimental populations of the mite on different lines. The highest survival rate was found on the less hair lines YZ504 an YZ507, the second on YZ419, and the lowest on YZ27. Meanwhile, the highest egg production was found on YZ504, the second on YZ507 and YZ419, and the lowest on YZ7. Judging from the life parameters of the experimental populations of the mite, we concluded that YZ7 and YZ618 lines were resistant to the mite, while YZ504, YZ419 and YZ507 lines were susceptible to the mite.

Key words: Aculops lycopersici, tomato lines, population dynamics, resistance to mite