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Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate Tetranychus urticae Koch dispersal response to fenvalerate and permethrin. A petri dish spider mite trap which allows the partitioning of the dispersal response into spindown and walkoff categories was developed. Fenvalerate induced the more severe dispersal response. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate Tetranychus urticae oviposition site selection in response to residues of fenvalerate and permethrin, at two levels of residue deposition. When pyrethroid-free leaf surface was available, nearly all eggs were found on the untreated surface, away from the pyrethroid residues. When pyrethroid-free leaf surface was not available, a substantial number of eggs were found suspended by silk threads above the treated surface. The results were found to be in agreement with the general pyrethroid avoidance hypothesis. A series of greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate Tetranychus urticae oviposition response following impingement, and contact with residues of fenvalerate and permethrin. In all instances the pyrethroids were found to reduce the number of eggs oviposited. Mites recovered after several days, and oviposition returned to normal. The results did not lend support to the hormoligosis hypothesis of insecticide induced mite outbreaks. Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate Tetranychus urticae oviposition response, over time, to soybeans which have received an application of fenvalerate of permethrin. The pyrethroids did not alter the soybeans in a way which improved the quality of the plant as a resource for increased levels of spider mite oviposition. / Master of Science / incomplete_metadata