Conifers are long-lived species that cope with multiple abiotic and biotic stresses. To defend themselves, they have evolved a wide array of morphological, anatomical and chemical traits. Morpho-anatomical traits of Juniperus seravschanica, particularly in male and female cones, have not been studied. Thus, in this survey, these structures were studied to investigate the adaptative traits. The species is frost- and drought-tolerant and grows at a 2200-3800 m altitude on normal, chalky, calcareous, rocky, and mountainous outcrops with other species or as pure patches. The seedlings and young plant leaves were small and needle-like, while the main leaves of adult plants were scale-like and overlapping; there was a conspicuous resin gland (duct) in the outer surface of scale-like leaves secreting a white and sticky resinous substance, particularly in damaged leaves. The epidermis was thick with thicker outer walls and sunken stomata; the hypodermis showed 1-3 layers of lignified cells with a narrow lumen. The palisade parenchyma was observed on both sides. Sclereids, phenolic- and starchy cells were observed in leaves, particularly scale-like ones. Male cones were small with overlapping and decussate scales, in which resin glands (ducts) and phenolic cells were also observed. Similarly, female cones had overlapping and decussate scales converting to fleshy, berry-like, and bluish appearance during development. They revealed the presence of several resin glands, a thick epidermis, phenolic cells in young cones, and numerous sclereid cells in mature cones. Tracheids were narrow in leaves and cones. The features such as high sclerophylly, resin glands, phenolic cells, narrow tracheids, sunken stomata, increasing thickness of the epidermis, cuticle, hypodermis, as well as the presence of palisade parenchyma on both sides enable the species to survive in hard conditions.

Bionomy of spruce spider mite (SSM) (Oligonychus ununguis Jacobi) on five species/cultivars of spruce and two species of cypress was studied under laboratory conditions during rwo consecutive growing seasons. The study showed influence of host-plant food on development time, fecundity and longevity of SSM. The comparison of intrinsic rate of natural increase (r,J indicates the highest reproduction potential of SSM on Picea pungens (0.18), P. abies 'Nidiformis' (0.17), and P. glauca 'Conica' (0.14). SSM had much lowest rm on P. omorica (O.OS) and P abies 'Virgata' (O.Ol). The reproductive potential of SSM on rested species of cypresses was similar: 0.12 and 0.10 on Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Golden Wonder" and C. pisifera 'Nana Aureovariegata', respectively. The results obtained clearly indicate that the population parameters can be a proper indicator ofrelative susceptibility/resistance of commercially available species/cultivars of spruce and cypress plants to SSM.