Colonization Priority of Spider Mites Modulates Antioxidant Defense of Bean Plants

The first species of herbivore to colonize the plant can obtain advantages and displace other organisms to less favorable substrates. This study evaluated whether the colonization order of the herbivores Tetranychus ludeni Zacher and T. urticae Koch (Tetranychidae) influences their population dynamics and antioxidant enzymatic activity of bean plants (Phaseoulus vulgaris L.). Experiments manipulating the colonization priority were performed, and the activities of the enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were evaluated. The results indicated priority for T. urticae led to a significant reduction in T. ludeni abundance, suggesting that the order of species influences the total abundance of mites. The presence of mites affected the antioxidant enzymatic activities APX, CAT, and SOD. These findings provide important insights into the response of bean plants to herbivorous mite infestation, highlighting the role in plant defense against T. ludeni and T. urticae.