Host Plant Research Articles

Migration and accumulation of microplastics in soil-plant systems mediated by symbiotic microorganisms and their ecological effects

The coexistence of microorganisms in complex soil environments greatly affects the environmental behavior and ecological effects of microplastics (MPs). However, relevant studies are sparse, and internal mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), a common symbiotic microorganism in the soil–plant system, was proved to significantly affect MPs absorption and migration with a “size effect”. Specifically, the existence of AMF accelerated small-sized MPs (0.5 μm) uptake but slowed large-sized MPs (2 μm) uptake in lettuce. The content of 0.5 μm MPs absorbed by plants with AMF was 1.26 times that of the non-AMF group, while the content of 2 μm MPs was only 77.62 % that of non-AMF group. Additionally, the different effects of microorganisms on the intake content of MPs with different particle sizes in plants also led to different toxic effects of MPs on lettuce, that is, AMF exacerbated small-size MPs toxicity in lettuce (e.g., reduced plant biomass, photosynthesis, etc), and it weakened large-sized MPs toxicity (e.g., increased plant height, antioxidant enzyme activity, etc). The above phenomenon mainly because of the change in AMF on the plant root structure, which can be visually observed through the intraradical and extraradical hyphae. The symbiotic structure (hyphae) formed by AMF and host plants root could enhance the absorption pathway for small-sized MPs in lettuce, although not for large-sized MPs. Additionally, the effects of AMF varied with the soil environment of differently sized MPs, which promoted the migration of small-particle MPs to plants but aggravated large-particle MPs fixation at the soil interface. These findings could deepen the understanding of MPs pollution in terrestrial systems and provide theoretical basis and technical support to accurately assess soil MPs pollution.

Effects of methyl jasmonate seed treatments on adult oviposition preference and larval performance of seed corn maggot (Delia platura) in corn (Zea mays).

Eliciting host plant resistance using plant hormones such as jasmonates has the potential to protect seeds and seedlings against insect pests; however, several hurdles exist for adapting it for pest management. This includes determining a dose that promotes resistance without limiting plant growth, an application method that growers could use, and ensuring the plants are responsive in the abiotic conditions when the pest occurs. In laboratory and field assays, we tested if treating corn seeds with multiple concentrations of methyl jasmonate would reduce the preference of ovipositing seed corn maggot adults and the performance of larvae feeding on seeds. We found that corn seeds soaked in aqueous 0.2 mM methyl jasmonate solution showed marginally lower seedling growth, but the adult oviposition preference was ~60% lower on these seeds compared to control water-soaked seeds. Seeds that were treated with methyl jasmonate using a conventional polymer-based seed coating showed no effect on seedling growth but reduced adult oviposition preference. In no-choice bioassays with adult flies, we found reduced oviposition on seeds soaked with aqueous methyl jasmonate compared to controls. Larval survival to pupation was also lower in methyl jasmonate-treated seeds. Lastly, the methyl jasmonate-induced resistance also occurred at the lower temperatures typical of the spring soil conditions when this fly is most damaging. Methyl jasmonate seed treatment in aqueous solution or using conventional polymer-based technology, has the potential to deter adult oviposition and reduce maggot performance in spring temperature conditions with minor effects on seed germination and growth. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

REFUGIA BLOG TO INCREASE THE DIVERSITY OF NATURAL ENEMIES THAT FUNCTION AS CONTROL OF FRUIT FLY PESTS BACTROCERA DORSALIS IN MALANG ORANGE GROVES IN MALANG ORANGE GROVES GARDEN

Bactrocera dorsalis is a pest that attacks horticultural fruit crops, especially oranges. Control of fruit fly pests can be done by engineering the blog refugia habitat which attracts the presence of natural enemies so that it can stabilize the ecosystem and be more sustainable for the environment. The aim of this research is toanalyzing the application of habitat engineering to the Bactrocera dorsalis fruit fly population and natural enemy diversity, fruit fly population fluctuations, and Farmers' perceptions of pest controlfruit flies that attack oranges. This research was conducted on former rice fields and moorland in Krajan Hamlet, Sumbersekar Village, Dau District, Malang Regency. The method used was survey sampling by placing refugia plants in tumpeng sari, 4 fruit fly traps were placed in each field, the trapped fruit flies and natural enemies were observed every morning, afternoon and evening every week 10 times. The results showed an increase in the diversity of natural enemies in the 2 fields planted with refugia, abiotic factors and host plants influenced fluctuations in fruit fly populations. In orange orchards, 2 rainfall factors influence the rise and fall of fruit fly populations. Farmers' perceptions are relatively high in their approval of controlling fruit fly pests using refugia plants which has been proven through validity and reliability tests on the results of the questionnaire.

Functional and evolutionary insights into chemosensation and specialized herbivory from the genome of the red milkweed beetle, Tetraopes tetrophthalmus (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae).

Tetraopes are aposematic longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) that feed primarily on toxic plants in the genus Asclepias (milkweeds). Studies of Tetraopes and their host plants have revealed compelling evidence for insect-plant coevolution and cospeciation. We sequenced, assembled and annotated the genome of the common red milkweed beetle, Tetraopes tetrophthalmus, and explored gene content and evolution, focusing on annotated genes putatively involved in chemosensation, allelochemical detoxification, and phytophagy. Comparisons were made to the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) genome. The genome assembly comprised 779Mb distributed across 1057 contigs, with an N50 of 2.21Mb and 13,089 putative genes, including 97.3% of expected single-copy orthologs. Manual curation identified 122 putative odorant receptors (OR) and 162 gustatory receptors (GR), the former number similar to A. glabripennis but the latter only 69% of the A. glabripennis suite. We also documented a greater percentage of pseudogenic GRs and ORs compared to A. glabripennis, suggesting an ongoing reduction in chemosensory function, perhaps related to host specialization. We found lower diversity within certain well-studied gene families predicted to encode putative plant cell wall degrading enzymes in the T. tetrophthalmus genome, perhaps also due to host specialization. Exploring genes relevant to stress and allelochemical detoxification revealed evidence of an abundance of ABC-family genes in the T. tetrophthalmus genome, which may be related to sequestering toxic cardiac glycosides. Our studies further illuminate the genomic basis and evolution of chemosensation in longhorn beetles and provide a new vantage point from which to explore the ecology and evolution of specialized plant-feeding in Tetraopes and other phytophagous beetles.

Comparative genomics of Metarhizium brunneum strains V275 and ARSEF 4556: unraveling intraspecies diversity.

Entomopathogenic fungi belonging to the Order Hypocreales are renowned for their ability to infect and kill insect hosts, while their endophytic mode of life and the beneficial rhizosphere effects on plant hosts have only been recently recognized. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying their different lifestyles could optimize their potential as both biocontrol and biofertilizer agents, as well as the wider appreciation of niche plasticity in fungal ecology. This study describes the comprehensive whole genome sequencing and analysis of one of the most effective entomopathogenic and endophytic EPF strains, Metarhizium brunneum V275 (commercially known as Lalguard Met52), achieved through Nanopore and Illumina reads. Comparative genomics for exploring intraspecies variability and analyses of key gene sets were conducted with a second effective EPF strain, M. brunneum ARSEF 4556. The search for strain- or species-specific genes was extended to M. brunneum strain ARSEF 3297 and other species of genus Metarhizium, to identify molecular mechanisms and putative key genome adaptations associated with mode of life differences. Genome size differed significantly, with M. brunneum V275 having the largest genome amongst M. brunneum strains sequenced to date. Genome analyses revealed an abundance of plant-degrading enzymes, plant colonization-associated genes, and intriguing intraspecies variations regarding their predicted secondary metabolic compounds and the number and localization of Transposable Elements. The potential significance of the differences found between closely related endophytic and entomopathogenic fungi, regarding plant growth-promoting and entomopathogenic abilities, are discussed, enhancing our understanding of their diverse functionalities and putative applications in agriculture and ecology.

Decoding plant-induced transcriptomic variability and consistency in two related polyphagous mites differing in host ranges.

The diet breadth of generalist herbivores when compared to specialists tends to be associated with greater transcriptional plasticity. Here, we consider whether it may also contribute to variation in host range among two generalists with different levels of polyphagy. We examined two related polyphagous spider mites with different host ranges, Tetranychus urticae (1200 plants) and Tetranychus truncatus (90 plants). Data from multiple populations of both species domesticated on common beans and transferred to new plant hosts (cotton, cucumber, eggplant) were used to investigate transcriptional plasticity relative to population-based variation in gene expression. Compared to T. truncatus, T. urticae exhibited much higher transcriptional plasticity. Populations of this species also showed much more variable expression regulation in response to a plant host, particularly for genes related to detoxification, transport, and transcriptional factors. In response to the different plant hosts, both polyphagous species showed enriched processes of drug/xenobiotics metabolism, with T. urticae orchestrating a relatively broader array of biological pathways. Through co-expression network analysis, we identified gene modules associated with host plant response, revealing shared hub genes primarily involved in detoxification metabolism when both mites fed on the same plants. After silencing a shared hub CYP gene related to eggplant exposure, the performance of both species on the original bean host improved, but the fecundity of T. truncatus decreased when feeding on eggplant. The extensive transcriptomic variation shown by T. urticae might serve as a potential compensatory mechanism for a deficiency of hub genes in this species. This research points to nuanced differences in transcriptomic variability between generalist herbivores.

Effects of elevated CO2 and temperature on the performance of a diet specialized neotropical herbivore and it's host plant

Effects of elevated CO₂ and temperature on the performance of a diet specialized neotropical herbivore and it's host plant

Applications of Marker-Assisted Gene Pyramiding in Rice Crop Improvement

In order to give wide-ranging and long-lasting disease resistance that reduces rice output, breeding techniques are used such as the importance of selection assisted by markers and gene pyramiding. Bacterial leaf blight (BLB), which is carried on by the pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, is one such disease that significantly reduces rice yield. Numerous molecular marker techniques have already been developed because molecular markers are crucial for both marker-assisted selection and gene pyramiding. Currently, DNA-based markers, sometimes referred to as molecular markers, are the most frequently employed ones. Based on the methods used to find them, the molecular markers are divided into two main types. These markers are based on hybridization and polymerase chain reaction. The morphological (traditionally based) and biochemical (enzyme-based) markers are two more types of markers that are available. The best method for preventing rice BLB disease is host plant/varietal resistance. Gene pyramiding with the help of markers offers the potential to speed up breeding operations and ensure that the host plant’s acquired resistance will last. This research explores the use, economic significance, constraints, and potential of marker-assisted selection and gene pyramiding for rice BLB disease resistance.

Fall armyworm females choose host plants that are detrimental to their offspring's performance but young larvae amend their mother's choices

Fall armyworm females choose host plants that are detrimental to their offspring's performance but young larvae amend their mother's choices

Different viral effectors hijack TCP17, a key transcription factor for host Auxin synthesis, to promote viral infection.

Auxin is an important class of plant hormones that play an important role in plant growth development, biotic stress response, and viruses often suppress host plant auxin levels to promote infection. However, previous research on auxin-mediated disease resistance has focused mainly on signaling pathway, and the molecular mechanisms of how pathogenic proteins manipulate the biosynthetic pathway of auxin remain poorly understood. TCP is a class of plant-specific transcription factors, of which TCP17 is a member that binds to the promoter of YUCCAs, a key rate-limiting enzyme for auxin synthesis, and promotes the expression of YUCCAs, which is involved in auxin synthesis in plants. In this study, we reported that Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) infection suppressed the expression of YUCCAs through its interaction with TCP17. Further studies revealed that the NSs protein encoded by TSWV disrupts the dimerization of TCP17, thereby inhibit its transcriptional activation ability and reducing the auxin content in plants. Consequently, this interference inhibits the auxin response signal and promotes the TSWV infection. Transgenic plants overexpressing TCP17 exhibit resistance against TSWV infection, whereas plants knocking out TCP17 were more susceptible to TSWV infection. Additionally, proteins encoded by other RNA viruses (BSMV, RSV and TBSV) can also interact with TCP17 and interfere with its dimerization. Notably, overexpression of TCP17 enhanced resistance against BSMV. This suggests that TCP17 plays a crucial role in plant defense against different types of plant viruses that use viral proteins to target this key component of auxin synthesis and promote infection.

An annotated checklist with a key to the genera of Australian psyllids (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Psylloidea)

The diversity of the psyllids of Australia reflects that of the plants of this country, with large radiations and ecological dominance of Myrtaceae (e.g., Eucalyptus), Fabaceae (e.g., Acacia), Casuarinaceae (e.g., Allocasuarina, Casuarina) and Scrophulariaceae (e.g., Eremophila, Myoporum). Within Australian ecosystems, psyllids are critical components of food webs, especially with respect to providing energy-rich resources for many species of birds and insects and, historically, humans. Furthermore, in horticulture, agriculture and forestry, some Australian psyllid species are considered pests, causing leaf senescence and ‘dieback’, leaf deformation and inducing growth of sooty mould, with some adventive species capable of acting as vectors of plant pathogens. Several species are considered beneficial, having been introduced as biological control agents of weeds. Additionally, some Australian psyllids have established in other countries, or in regions within Australia that are not within their natural range; while others have such limited geographical ranges that they are of conservation concern. Here we provide an updated checklist of the species of Psylloidea present in Australia and updated a previous key to their genera based on adult morphology. This is the first checklist of the Australian psyllids compiled since the most recent global taxonomic classification, and provides detailed information on biogeographical, ecological and anthropogenic aspects, including global distribution, host plant data, pest status, conservation status, parasitoids, predators, and biological control programs. Our checklist includes information on 66 genera and 450 species, 414 formally described and 36 awaiting descriptions. This represents an increase of almost 20% of species since the last published checklist of 2004, which reported 354 described and 21 undescribed taxa. Additionally, we summarise the available information on more than 150 undescribed taxa. Finally, we reported here more than 60 new records, between distributions and host plant associations.

Shifts in Structure and Assembly Processes of Root Endophytic Community Caused by Climate Warming and Precipitation Increase in Alpine Grassland

Climate change poses great challenges to the survival of plants. Plant endophytes play important roles in improving plant adaptability. However, our knowledge of the effects of climate change on endophytic community structures is limited. Relying on a field experimental platform simulating climate warming, precipitation increases, and their combination in an alpine grassland, the root endophytic bacterial community structures and assembly processes of three coexisting plant species (Elymus nutans, Kobresia humilis, and Melissilus ruthenicus) were measured. The results indicated that Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum, with a relative abundance ranging from 50% to 80%, followed by Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Bacterial diversity decreased significantly under the combined treatment for all three plant species, with the largest reduction observed in E. nutans. The climate manipulation treatments had a minimal effect on the endophytic bacterial community structures. The relative abundance of Burkholderiaceae increased significantly under the combined treatment for the three plant species. Moreover, the endophytic community assembly processes changed from stochastic dominated under control plots to deterministic dominated under the combined plots for E. nutans, while this shift was reversed for M. ruthenicus. The root endophytic bacterial community was affected by the soil’s available nitrogen and stoichiometric ratio. These results revealed that the sensitivity of endophyte community structures to climate change varies with host plant species, which has implications for plant fitness differences.

The Effects of Bioinoculants on Enhancement Growth in Nanjanagud Rasabale Tissue Culture Banana

Bio-hardening is a process where micro propagated plantlets are inoculated with suitable strains of microorganisms in order to enhance their acclimatization. Trials were taken to expose banana plantlets to useful microbes that encourage growth and mutual association during 2022 at UHS, Bagalkot. It promotes host plant growth, plant nutrient uptake, inhibits pathogen growth, reduces disease severity, enhances tolerance to environmental stress etc. In the present study, twenty treatments were imposed with different bioinoculants by two methods of application (1) powder formulation and (2) liquid formulation. Among these treatments, M1T13- VAM and fusicont significantly increased the survivability per cent (58.80%), plant height (6.46 cm), pseudo stem girth (5.42 cm), number of leaves (4.07) and leaf area (33.15 cm2). Thus, the artificial inoculation of bioinoculants through the powder formulation enhances the growth during primary hardening.

Present status of Papaya Mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink, in Assam, India, after a decade of its first invasion

BackgroundThe North Eastern Region (NER) of India is well known for its rich biodiversity and organic cultivation; however, this is one of the least investigated regions owing to its remoteness. A field study on papaya mealybug (PMB) was conducted to know its present status in Dibrugarh district of Assam, NER India, after its first entry in 2012.ResultsThe pest was initially confined in urban and peri-urban localities in 2012 and has now made its entry even in remote villages too; however, many villages still remain uninfested. PMB has not damaged crops much the way it did in major papaya producing states of India. Out of 217 farmers surveyed, only 31.8% have experienced the infestation of PMB in their crops. The pest has now been recorded in places within an elevation of 98–129 m above MSL. The village homesteads help the pest establish in the ecosystem through natural host shifting. 89.9% farmers adopted either no management practices or applied non-chemical measures. We found the presence of more number of Spalgis immatures in the colonies of PMBs in hibiscus than in papaya. After the first invasion of PMB in Assam, initially it was also worried that the pest might invade tea crop and affect the tea economy of the state; however, no report on PMB infestation on tea crop has been found so far.ConclusionsThe PMB has acclimatized and established itself in the crop ecosystem of Assam by natural host shifting. The trend of infestation is constant or increasing. No programme on classical biological control of PMB was taken in the farmers’ fields of the state, but there is no hue and cry situation on the crop damage by PMB. High rainfall affected the spread of the pest and predation by Spalgis sp might have resulted in reduction in population. We recorded variable abundance of S. epeus larva in PMB colonies in different host plants based on which we can formulate the bio-control module for PMB. The detailed study on the role of rainfall and natural enemies on population dynamics of PMB is a researchable issue.

The Role of Mycorrhizal Fungi in Orchids Mycobiont and Orchids.

In nature, orchid plants are obligate myco-heterotrophs, and rely on mycorrhizal nutrient resources to grow and sustain in the wild, until they become physiologically active photosynthetic plants. Their seeds lack nutrient reserves and receive the necessary carbon from symbiotic fungi during germination. A mycorrhizal fungus provides nutrients, especially sugars, as well as water to the corresponding host plant. The range and distribution of orchid mycorrhizal fungi influence the survivability of orchid populations in their natural habitats. Mycorrhizae form symbiotic connections with the parenchymatous tissues of the roots of orchid plants. The objective of this study was to examine the presence of mycorrhiza in the roots of Aerides multiflora during the vegetative phase Methods: Fresh roots were hand-sectioned, and thin sections were observed under the microscope to locate the presence of mycorrhiza. Simultaneously, to observe the expansion of mycorrhiza in the cortical region. During the vegetative phase of plant growth, a peloton-like structure forms within the cortical region of the orchid roots. Mycorrhizae was observed to be distributed throughout the cortical layer of the root. This communication reviews the role of mycorrhiza in orchid plants.

Transcription factors containing both C2H2 and homeobox domains play different roles in Verticillium dahliae.

Verticillium dahliae is a soilborne fungus that causes plant wilt and can infect a variety of economic crops and woody trees. The molecular basis of microsclerotial formation and infection by this fungus remains to be further studied. In this study, we analyzed the functions of seven C2H2-homobox transcription factors. Notably, VdChtf3 and VdChtf4 exhibited the most severe defects, affecting phenotypes associated with critical developmental stages in the V. dahliae disease cycle. Our results indicate that VdChtf3 is a potential specific regulator of microsclerotial formation, modulating the expression of pectinase-encoding genes. This finding could contribute to a better understanding of microsclerotial development in V. dahliae. Moreover, VdChtf4 was associated with cell wall integrity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress resistance, and increased virulence. These discoveries shed light on the biological significance of C2H2-homeobox transcription factors in V. dahliae's adaptation to the environment and infection of host plants.

Effect of symbiotic microbiota and arginine on host plant selection by the tea green leafhopper in tea cultivation

The tea green leafhopper (TGLH), Empoasca (Matsumurasca) onukii Matsuda, poses a significant challenge to tea cultivation in East Asia because of its ability to infest specific tea plant cultivars. Here, we investigated the complex interactions between TGLHs, various tea cultivars, and their symbiotic microbiota, especially the effect of arginine on host selection. A detailed two-year field study involving 16 tea cultivars, coupled with controlled laboratory and field experiments, was conducted to establish a clear link between TGLH infestation and the arginine content of tea plants. Metagenomic analysis revealed a predominance of bacterial taxa in TGLHs, primarily from the phylum Proteobacteria, with significant contributions from orders such as Pseudomonadales, Enterobacterales, and Flavobacteriales, which are crucial for the biosynthesis of essential amino acids but lack the argF gene necessary for arginine synthesis. The absence of the argF gene indicates the potential presence of microbial-mediated dietary adaptation strategies in TGLHs. Additionally, our research examines microbial diversity within TGLH populations and confirms the critical role that symbiotic bacteria play in influencing dietary preferences. The results of our study provide insights into the dynamic interplay between pests, plants, and microorganisms. Our findings are preliminary, and further research is needed to explore the potential applications of symbiotic bacteria in sustainable tea cultivation and integrated pest management strategies.

Parasitism by Cuscuta gronovii mediated soil legacy effects and the competitive ability of invasive and native plant species by changing soil abiotic and biotic properties

Parasitic plants can mediate soil conditioning by invasive and native host plant species, but how this may affect the competitive ability of these plants when they later grow in the conditioned soil has never been tested. This study tested whether soil conditioned by three invasive and three native plant species, either parasitized by a holoparasitic plant Cuscuta gronovii or non-parasitized, would differentially affect the competitive ability of those species. In the first phase, field soil was conditioned using individuals of the six host plant species, either parasitized or non-parasitized. The second phase tested the competitive ability of individuals of those invasive and native plants by growing them alone or in competition with Trifolium repens in either live or sterilized conditioned soil. In the soil conditioning phase, parasitism significantly increased soil NH4+-N concentration by 17 %, decreased soil organic carbon by 18 %, and marginally decreased microbial biomass carbon concentration by 21 %. In the soil feedback phase, native plant species generally had higher competitive ability in soil that was conditioned by parasitized plants than in soil that was conditioned by non-parasitized plants. In contrast, soil conditioned by parasitized plants had only a marginal effect on the competitve ability of invasive plants, compared to growth in soil conditioned by non-parasitized plants. Native plants had greater competitive ability in soil with lower soil organic carbon, while invasive plants had greater competitive ability in soil with higher microbial biomass carbon and lower NH4+-N. These findings demonstrate that parasitism by C. gronovii mediated different soil legacy effects of invasive and native plant species through changes in soil organic carbon, soil NH4+-N, and microbial biomass carbon levels. Broadly, these results suggest that parasitic plants may limit invasions by alien plant species and promote the co-existence of the invaders with native plant species through soil-mediated legacy effects.

Graphene oxide inhibits the transfer of ARGs in rice by reducing the root endophytic bacterial complexity

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) as an emerging contaminant have attracted much attention for their transfer in agricultural ecosystems. Meanwhile, graphene oxide (GO), due to its high adsorption capacity and antibacterial properties, poses potential environmental ecological risks to the occurrence of ARGs, bacteria, and plant physiological ecology. However, the impact and mechanism of GO on the transfer of ARGs in host plants remain unclear. Therefore, this study selected rice as the research object and inoculated Bacillus subtilis carrying ARGs to investigate the influence of GO on the migration of ARGs into rice and its microbiological mechanism. The study found that GO had a certain inhibitory effect on the transfer of ARGs in rice. Although GO reduced the rhizosphere pH in rice, leading to a transition in endophytic bacteria from dominance by Burkholderia to dominance by Gordonia, this process did not directly affect the transfer of ARGs in rice. Further analysis of bacterial interactions revealed that GO could inhibit the transfer of ARGs in rice by reducing the network complexity of endophytic bacteria. Additionally, GO inhibited the formation of endophytic bacterial biofilms and mobile elements, which might affect ARGs’ migration in rice. This study elucidated the key microbiological ecological processes of GO on the transfer of ARGs in rice, providing fundamental information for the ecological risk assessment of GO.

Short-term responses of spider mites inform mechanisms of maize resistance to a generalist herbivore

Plants are attacked by diverse herbivorous pests with different host specializations. While host plant resistance influences pest pressure, how resistance impacts the behaviors of generalist and specialist herbivores, and the relationship to resistance, is less well known. Here, we investigated the short-term (< 1 h) behavioral changes of a generalist herbivore, the two-spotted spider mite (TSM), and a specialist herbivore, the Banks grass mite (BGM), after introduction to no-choice Tanglefoot leaf-arenas (2 × 2 cm) of three maize inbred lines (B73, B75, and B96). The widely-used inbred line B73 is susceptible to spider mites, while B75 and B96 are known to be mite resistant, especially to TSM. Video tracking was used to record TSM and BGM walking, probing, feeding, resting, web-building and travel distance on arenas of each line. Mite oviposition was also recorded after 72 h. B75, a resistant line, decreased the feeding behavior (i.e., time) of both mite species compared to B73 (susceptible control) and B96. Moreover, TSM appeared to be sensitive to both resistant lines (B75 and B96) with reduced oviposition, and increased resting and web-building times compared to susceptible B73. In contrast, the specialist BGM showed no difference in oviposition, resting and web-building time across all maize inbred lines. Our findings of quite broad and short-term responses of TSM to B75 and B96 are consistent with a role for constitutive or rapidly induced plant defenses in maize in conferring TSM resistance. Other mechanisms of plant resistance may be needed, however, for defense against specialists like BGM.