Abstract
Tuckerella japonica Ehara (Acari: Tuckerellidae) feeds on predigested plant cells beneath exposed periderm tissue of 1- to 3+-year-old stems of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze (Theaceae) where longitudinal bark splitting occurs. Control samples from these tissues were compared with areas fed upon by T. japonica adults and immatures to characterize types of cellular injury. Stylet diameters ranged from 1.6 to 2.3 µm and were consistent with observed stylet punctures in the stems. Mite saliva was injected along tracts within the cortical tissue and resulted in cell wall disruption, collapsed cells and, in older tissue, hyperplasia. The range of potential stylet penetration into plant tissues was from 92 to 150 µm. Tuckerella japonica injects saliva in the cortical tissues. The paired stylet lengths would allow for possible injection of saliva into the upper areas of phloem tissue but not in the cambium area of wood exposed by splitting of the outer epidermis.
Highlights
The Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae and Eriophyoidea comprise a large group of mite species that feed mainly on higher plants and numerous species are of economic importance (Banerjee and Cranham 1985; Childers and Derrick 2003; de Lillo and Skoracka 2010; Leigh 1985; McMurtry 1985)
The paired stylet lengths would allow for possible injection of saliva into the upper areas of phloem tissue but not in the cambium area of wood exposed by splitting of the outer epidermis
Tuckerella japonica has been observed feeding on exposed green periderm tissues in the crevasses created by splitting bark on 1- to 3?-year-old woody stems of tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O
Summary
The Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae and Eriophyoidea comprise a large group of mite species that feed mainly on higher plants and numerous species are of economic importance (Banerjee and Cranham 1985; Childers and Derrick 2003; de Lillo and Skoracka 2010; Leigh 1985; McMurtry 1985). Abstract Tuckerella japonica Ehara (Acari: Tuckerellidae) feeds on predigested plant cells beneath exposed periderm tissue of 1- to 3?-year-old stems of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. The citrus rust mite has shorter stylets (about 30 lm) with feeding injury confined to the epidermis of citrus fruit or leaves (Albrigo and McCoy 1974; McCoy and Albrigo 1975; Achor et al 1990).
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