Abstract

This study is conducted to develop a new method of early occurrence monitoring for Aculops lycopersici Massee (Acari: Eriophyidae), a major pest in tomato. A. lycopersici causes damage to plants such as curling of leaflet edges, followed by leaflet bronzing. As feeding continues by the mites, the plant takes on a russeted, wilted appearance, eventually culminating in leaflet desiccation and finally plant death. Fruit damages in tomato were shown when the density of mites was very high. Also, A. lycopersici caused more damage to unripe fruits than ripe fruits. The time taken to detect A. lycopersici on green label sticker was 7.0 seconds, the shortest. Blue, orange and white label stickers took 17.1, 19.8 and 12.3 seconds respectively. The permeable microscope with side illumination was useful in observing A. lycopersici on label stickers. A. lycopersici began to occur in late-April and the density of the mites increased rapidly after mid-May. The density peaked in mid to late-June, and decreased after late-June. A. lycopersici was observed on lower stems 20 days after the release of mites and observed on higher stems 60 days after. The peaked densities were observed on stems 40 and 60 days after and on leaf 80 days after. The label sticker is enough to monitor early occurrence of A. lycopersici in tomato cultivation facilities.

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