ABSTRACT. Several studies have been conducted on resistance sources to improve the genetic resistance of farm-grown tomatoes to arthropod pests, including phytophagous mites. In the present study, we evaluate the behavior of the two-spotted spider mite on different cherry tomato accessions to identify possible sources of resistance (repellent effect) to this pest. Sixty-four accessions of cherry tomatoes, Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (Dunal), were tested. In addition, a commercial cultivar of cherry tomato cv. Sweet Grape (susceptible pattern) and the wild tomato accession Solanum pennellii Correll LA-716 (multiple pest resistance) were evaluated as well. The distance traveled by mites on the leaflet surface over time varied largely among cherry tomato accessions. The wild genotype, S. pennellii LA-716, showed the smallest traveled distance on the leaflet surface (0.8 to 1.1 mm over time), and the variety cv. Sweet Grape was one of the genotypes with highest traveled distance (16.2 to 16.4 mm over time). The cherry tomato accessions 2298-42, RVTC-03, and 6889-53 showed a decrease in the traveled distance by mites over time, similar to that as observed in the wild tomato accession LA716. These accessions showed mite repellence levels similar to those of the wild genotype and may, therefore, be good candidates for breeding programs dealing with resistance to mites.

RESUMOA preocupação da sociedade com os riscos gerados pelos agrotóxicos, sobre a saúde e o ambiente tem gerado o interesse por formas alternativas de controle, como o uso de extratos vegetais para o controle de artrópodes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi testar o efeito tóxico do extrato aquoso de pimenta-dedo-de-moça Capsicum baccatum (Magnoliopsida: Solanaceae) sobre o ácaro-vermelho Tetranychus ludeni (Acari: Tetranychidae). Discos foliares de feijão foram mergulhados em extratos de sementes de C. baccatum desidratadas, trituradas, e suspendidas em água destilada, nas concentrações: 0 (controle), 0,5; 1,0; 2,0; 4,0 e 8,0 % (dag dm -3 ). Dez fêmeas adultas de T. ludeni foram colocadas sobre cada disco, e mantidas em sala climatizada (25±2 ºC, fotoperíodo 12 h). Foi avaliada a mortalidade e o número de ovos depositados após 24, 48 e 72 h. A mortalidade não variou entre as concentrações, mas a oviposição do ácaro foi afetada negativamente nas duas maiores concentrações (4 e 8%), reduzindo 25,4% e 34,7%, respectivamente. A pimenta-dedo-de-moça apresenta potencial de uso no controle do ácaro vermelho.Palavras-chave: inseticida botânico; Solanaceae; ácaro vermelho. ABSTRACTCurrent public concern about the adverse effects of agricultural chemicals on health and the environment has generated interest in alternative control methods, like the botanical extracts active against arthropods. The objective of this work was to assess the toxicity of aqueous pepper extract of Capsicum baccatum (Magnoliopsida: Solanaceae) on the red spider mite Tetranychus ludeni (Acari: Tetranychidae). Seeds of C. baccatum were dried, powdered and suspended in distilled water at concentrations of 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 dag dm -3. common bean leaf discs were dipped in the different concentration of extract. Ten adult females of T. ludeni were placed on each disc, and kept in a room (25 ± 2 º C, photoperiod 12 h). After 24 h, 48 and 72h the mortality and the number of eggs oviposited were assessed. Mortality did not vary among concentrations, but the oviposition was negatively affected in the highest concentrations (4 and 8%) in the order of 25.4% to 34.7% respectively. The seed extract of C. bacattum has a potential use in controlling red spider mite.