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Abstract Prior to World War II, spider mites were considered to be relatively minor agricultural pests, but since that time they have become serious pests on a variety of crop plants. The increased importance of spider mites as agricultural pests has been attributed largely to improvements in plant nutrition and to the increased use of insecticides. The reproductive potential of spider mites is usually increased on well fertilized plants, while frequent insecticide use can affect the population of their predators and elevate and develpoe spider mite populations resistant to pesticides due to thepressure resulting from the heavy use of pesticides. Spider mite population control might best be achieved by limiting the use of pesticides, and developing effective biological and natural control, and host plant resistance programs. |