Name: application of two-spotted spider mite tetranychus urticae for plant-pest interaction studies
Uploaded: 2014-07-04T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Application of Two-spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae for Plant-pest Interaction Studies at JoVE.com

This project was funded by the Government of Canada through Genome Canada and the Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI-046), and Ontario Research Fund&#8211;Global Leadership in Genomics and Life Sciences GL2-01-035 (to M.G. and V.G.). T.V.L. is a postdoctoral fellow of the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (FWO).

1. Maintenance of the Spider Mite Population
NOTE: Spider mites are reared on California red kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris).
<ol>
	<li>Grow bean plants from seeds for 2-3 weeks prior to infestation.</li>
	<li>Intermix these plants with infested plants; adult mites will rapidly colonize fresh plant material.</li>
	<li>Remove old infested bean plants every 7-10 days,&#160;replacing them with fresh plants.</li>
</ol>
2. Collecting Adult Female Mites
<ol>
	<...

<ol>
	<li>Jeppson, L. R., Keifer, H. H., Baker, E. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Mites injurious to economic plants. , (1975).</li><li>Migeon, A., Dorkeld, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spider+Mites+Web:+a+comprehensive+database+for+the+Tetranychidae.">Spider Mites Web: a comprehensive database for the Tetranychidae.</a> http://www.montpellier.inra.fr/CBGP/spmweb. , (2013).</li><li>Croft, B. A., Vandebaan, H. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ecological+and+Genetic-Factors+Influencing+Evolution+of+Pesticide+Resistance+in+Tetranychid+and+Phytoseiid+Mites.">Ecological and Genetic-Factors Influencing Evolution of Pesticide Resistance in Tetranychid and Phytoseiid Mites.</a> Exp Appl Acarol. 4, 277-300 (1988).</li><li>Van Leeuwen, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mitochondrial+heteroplasmy+and+the+evolution+of+insecticide+resistance:+Non-Mendelian+inheritance+in+action.">Mitochondrial heteroplasmy and the evolution of insecticide resistance: Non-Mendelian inheritance in action.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 105, 5980-5985 (2008).</li><li>Van Leeuwen, T., Vontas, J., Tsagkarakou, A., Dermauw, W., Tirry, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Acaricide+resistance+mechanisms+in+the+two-spotted+spider+mite+Tetranychus+urticae+and+other+important+Acari:+A+review.">Acaricide resistance mechanisms in the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae and other important Acari: A review.</a> Insect Biochem Molec. 40, 563-572 (2010).</li><li>Dermauw, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+cys-loop+ligand-gated+ion+channel+gene+family+of+Tetranychus+urticae:+Implications+for+acaricide+toxicology+and+a+novel+mutation+associated+with+abamectin+resistance.">The cys-loop ligand-gated ion channel gene family of Tetranychus urticae: Implications for acaricide toxicology and a novel mutation associated with abamectin resistance.</a> Insect Biochem Molec. 42, 455-465 (2012).</li><li>Van Leeuwen, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Population+bulk+segregant+mapping+uncovers+resistance+mutations+and+the+mode+of+action+of+a+chitin+synthesis+inhibitor+in+arthropods.">Population bulk segregant mapping uncovers resistance mutations and the mode of action of a chitin synthesis inhibitor in arthropods.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 109, 4407-4412 (2012).</li><li>Dearden, P. K., Donly, C., Grbic, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Expression+of+pair-rule+gene+homologues+in+a+chelicerate:+early+patterning+of+the+two-spotted+spider+mite+Tetranychus+urticae.">Expression of pair-rule gene homologues in a chelicerate: early patterning of the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae.</a> Development. 129, 5461-5472 (2002).</li><li>Khila, A., Grbic, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gene+silencing+in+the+spider+mite+Tetranychus+urticae:+dsRNA+and+siRNA+parental+silencing+of+the+Distal-less+gene.">Gene silencing in the spider mite Tetranychus urticae: dsRNA and siRNA parental silencing of the Distal-less gene.</a> Development genes and evolution. 217, 241-251 (2007).</li><li>Grbic, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mity+model:+Tetranychus+urticae,+a+candidate+for+chelicerate+model+organism.">Mity model: Tetranychus urticae, a candidate for chelicerate model organism.</a> BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology. 29, 489-496 (2007).</li><li>Grbic, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+genome+of+Tetranychus+urticae+reveals+herbivorous+pest+adaptations.">The genome of Tetranychus urticae reveals herbivorous pest adaptations.</a> Nature. 479, 487-492 (2011).</li><li>Kliebenstein, D., Pedersen, D., Barker, B., Mitchell-Olds, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparative+analysis+of+quantitative+trait+loci+controlling+glucosinolates,+myrosinase+and+insect+resistance+in+Arabidopsis+thaliana.">Comparative analysis of quantitative trait loci controlling glucosinolates, myrosinase and insect resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana.</a> Genetics. 161, 325-332 (2002).</li><li>Abe, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Function+of+jasmonate+in+response+and+tolerance+of+Arabidopsis+to+thrip+feeding.">Function of jasmonate in response and tolerance of Arabidopsis to thrip feeding.</a> Plant &amp; cell physiology. 49, 68-80 (2008).</li><li>Whiteman, N. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mining+the+plant-herbivore+interface+with+a+leafmining+Drosophila+of+Arabidopsis.">Mining the plant-herbivore interface with a leafmining Drosophila of Arabidopsis.</a> Molecular ecology. 20, 995-1014 (2011).</li><li>Goodspeed, D., Chehab, E. W., Min-Venditti, A., Braam, J., Covington, M. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Arabidopsis+synchronizes+jasmonate-mediated+defense+with+insect+circadian+behavior.">Arabidopsis synchronizes jasmonate-mediated defense with insect circadian behavior.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 109, 4674-4677 (2012).</li><li>Kim, J. H., Lee, B. W., Schroeder, F. C., Jander, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+indole+glucosinolate+breakdown+products+with+antifeedant+effects+on+Myzus+persicae+(green+peach+aphid).">Identification of indole glucosinolate breakdown products with antifeedant effects on Myzus persicae (green peach aphid).</a> The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology. 54, 1015-1026 (2008).</li><li>Adio, A. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biosynthesis+and+defensive+function+of+Ndelta-acetylornithine,+a+jasmonate-induced+Arabidopsis+metabolite.">Biosynthesis and defensive function of Ndelta-acetylornithine, a jasmonate-induced Arabidopsis metabolite.</a> Plant Cell. 23, 3303-3318 (2011).</li><li>Li, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+tomato+homolog+of+CORONATINE-INSENSITIVE1+is+required+for+the+maternal+control+of+seed+maturation,+jasmonate-signaled+defense+responses,+and+glandular+trichome+development.">The tomato homolog of CORONATINE-INSENSITIVE1 is required for the maternal control of seed maturation, jasmonate-signaled defense responses, and glandular trichome development.</a> Plant Cell. 16, 126-143 (2004).</li><li>Kant, M. R., Ament, K., Sabelis, M. W., Haring, M. A., Schuurink, R. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+timing+of+spider+mite-induced+direct+and+indirect+defenses+in+tomato+plants.">Differential timing of spider mite-induced direct and indirect defenses in tomato plants.</a> Plant Physiol. 135, 483-495 (2004).</li><li>Schneider, C. A., Rasband, W. S., Eliceiri, K. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=NIH+Image+to+ImageJ:+25+years+of+image+analysis.">NIH Image to ImageJ: 25 years of image analysis.</a> Nat Methods. 9, 671-675 (2012).</li></ol>

This video demonstrates protocols used to isolate and to infest plants with large numbers of adult female mites. Although we presented this protocol using A. thaliana, it can be used for any plant-spider mite interaction system and is currently being successfully applied also on tomato and grapevine (Vitis vinifera) plants. The protocol yields reproducible results, indicating that collected mites are of comparable physiological state (Figure&#160;3).
While th...

Plant-pest interaction is a topic of great scientific and economic importance. It was historically studied using both crop plants (such as tomato) and the model plant, A. thaliana. In both cases, susceptibility of plant to herbivore could be measured either directly through assessment of plant phenotype after herbivore attack or indirectly through the assessment of pest performance.
Direct measurements of plant susceptibility were utilized previously for a number of insect pest species using a range of methods. For example, herbivory of lepidopteran larvae is measured as an estimation of the portion of plant tissue consumed by either Plutella xylostella (diamondback moth)&#160;or Trichoplusia ni (cabbage looper)&#160;by the naked eye with the help of a grid12. Also, there are methods that utilize digital imaging of leaf damage with subsequent quantitative image analysis. Such methods were used in studies of A. thaliana interaction with Frankliniella occidentalis (western flower thrips)13, Scaptomyza flava (leaf-mining drosophila)14, and T. ni15.
Indirect measurements of plant susceptibility are widely used in studies of plant-pest interaction. For example, susceptibility of A. thaliana to peach aphid Myzus persicae herbivory is typically assessed through analysis of pest fecundity and description of the gross morphology of a plant after interaction16,17. Another typical indirect indicator of A. thaliana susceptibility to a pest is a dry or wet weight assessment of the herbivore. This parameter is commonly used to characterize herbivory of lepidoterans, such as Pieris rapae (small white), P. xylostella, or T. ni at their larval or pupal stages15,17.
Spider mites are cell-content feeders. Mite-induced damage is recognized as a collection of chlorotic spots that range in color from white to pale green. The susceptibility of a plant host to spider mite herbivory was previously assessed either indirectly through the analysis of spider mite performance days post-infestation18,19, or directly using gross morphology of plants weeks post-infestation18 or using a digital imaging of leaves exposed to mites for days with subsequent automated image analysis19. These methods were being developed and used for studies of interactions between tomato plants and T. urticae, and&#160;typically used small numbers of spider mites (5-15 per treatment) that were collected from the mixed mite population and were placed on the leaf surface using a soft bristle brush. However, these methods are not suitable for studies where greater numbers of mites need to be applied. In addition, while direct processing of leaf images in image analysis software such as Adobe Photoshop (San Jose, CA) or ImageJ20 can be used for the analysis of tomato damage, these protocols need modification in order to be applied to leaves that have greater reflectivity of surface or are lightly colored and have highly visible trichomes (e.g.,&#160;A. thaliana) that interfere with automated selection of chlorotic spots that mark plant damage. Furthermore, the developmental stage of spider mites that can be readily utilized with the previous methods is limited to the most prevalent and easily identifiable adult females and precludes utilization of other developmental stages.
The first critical step toward high-throughput analysis of plant-spider mite interaction is to establish reproducible, simple and robust protocols to challenge plants with spider mites and reliably assess interaction outcomes.
In this video, an efficient method for quick and easy collection of a large number of adult female mites, their application on an experimental plant host, and the assessment of the plant damage due to spider mite feeding are described. The presented protocol enables fast and efficient collection of hundreds of individuals at any developmental stage (eggs, larvae, nymphs, adult males, and females) that can be used for subsequent experimental application. In addition, these protocols can be applied to any mite host plant, but are specifically demonstrated in the case of A. thaliana.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="1157">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td colspan="4" height="21" style="height:21px;width:231px;">Plant material:</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:231px;">California red kidney bean</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Stokes, Thorold, ON, Canada</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">NA</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">Two week old, well infested with spider mites two or three days before use. Other cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris can be used.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td colspan="4" height="21" style="height:21px;width:231px;">Chemicals:</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:231px;">Tween 20</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">P9416</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">1% stock solution is prepared to simplify aliquoting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:231px;">Tap water</td>
			<td>Any supplier</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">NA</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">At room temperature, heat- and cold-shock affect mite survival rate and peformance</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td colspan="4" height="21" style="height:21px;width:231px;">Other materials and equipment:</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:231px;">Plastic tray</td>
			<td>Any supplier</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">NA</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:231px;">Set of scissors</td>
			<td>Any supplier</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">NA</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:231px;">2 L beakers</td>
			<td>Any supplier</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">NA</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:231px;">Paper towels</td>
			<td>Any supplier</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">NA</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:231px;">Sets of sieves</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Manufactured in house</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">NA</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">Detailed instructions are available</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:231px;">Thin brush</td>
			<td>Any supplier</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">NA</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:231px;">Pipettes</td>
			<td>Any supplier</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">NA</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:231px;">Pipette tips</td>
			<td>Any supplier</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">NA</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">0.2 and 1 mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:231px;">1.5 mL centrifuge tubes</td>
			<td>Any supplier</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">NA</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:231px;">Air pump</td>
			<td>Any supplier</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">NA</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">Aquarium type pump with inverted air flow. Vacuum line can be used. Required pressure drop is approx. 2-4 psi</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:231px;">Stereoscope</td>
			<td>Any supplier</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">NA</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:231px;">Scanner</td>
			<td>Epson</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">V30</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">Any flatbed scanner allowing necessary degree of control over scan quality. We use Epson V30 for our experiments.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:231px;">Computer</td>
			<td>Any supplier</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">NA</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">Windows or OS X PC which is compatible with scanner hardware and Adobe Photoshop software.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:231px;">Adobe Photoshop software</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Adobe Systems Inc., San Jose, CA, USA</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">various</td>
			<td style="width:527px;">Any version with Histogram tool included.</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

application of two-spotted spider mite tetranychus urticae for plant-pest interaction studies

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is a ubiquitous polyphagous arthropod herbivore that feeds on a remarkably broad array of species, with more than 150 of economic value. It is a major pest of greenhouse crops, especially in Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae (e.g., tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini) and greenhouse ornamentals (e.g., roses, chrysanthemum, carnations), annual field crops (such as maize, cotton, soybean, and sugar beet), and in perennial cultures (alfalfa, strawberries, grapes, citruses, and plums)1,2. In addition to the extreme polyphagy that makes it an important agricultural pest, T. urticae has a tendency to develop resistance to a wide array of insecticides and acaricides that are used for its control3-7.
T. urticae is an excellent experimental organism, as it has a rapid life cycle (7 days at 27 &#176;C) and can be easily maintained at high density in the laboratory. Methods to assay gene expression (including in situ hybridization and antibody staining) and to inactivate expression of spider mite endogenous genes using RNA interference have been developed8-10. Recently, the whole genome sequence of T. urticae has been reported, creating an opportunity to develop this pest herbivore as a model organism with equivalent genomic resources that already exist in some of its host plants (Arabidopsis thaliana and the&#160;tomato Solanum lycopersicum)11. Together, these&#160;model organisms could provide insights into molecular bases of plant-pest interactions.
Here, an efficient method for quick and easy collection of a large number of adult female mites, their application on an experimental plant host, and the assessment of the plant damage due to spider mite feeding are described. The presented protocol enables fast and efficient collection of hundreds of individuals at any developmental stage (eggs, larvae, nymphs, adult males, and females) that can be used for subsequent experimental application.

Using 20 to 30 infested bean plants, one can collect around 2,000 adult female mites using sieves. The time required to infest 10 plants with 20 mites per plant is approximately 15 min&#160;if using a brush to transfer mites. Combinations of collection and application methods are shown in Figure&#160;2.
This protocol generates reproducible results of plant damage, demonstrating that collected mites are of similar physiological state and suitable for plant-spider mite interacti...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Application of Two-spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae for Plant-pest Interaction Studies at JoVE.com

Application of Two-spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae for Plant-pest Interaction Studies

Protocols for efficient preparation of homogenous samples of spider mites, infestation of experimental plants, and assessment of plant damage, as required for studies of plant-pest interaction were developed.

Application of Two-spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae for Plant-pest Interaction Studies

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is a ubiquitous polyphagous arthropod herbivore that feeds on a remarkably broad array of species, with ...

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