Abstract
A survey to determine population trends and entomopathogenic fungi associated with the red palm mite (RPM), Raoiella indica, was conducted in Trinidad, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis and Dominica. RPM population density was evaluated by sampling a total of ten coconut palms per site in Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, and Trinidad (Manzanilla and Icacos). Mites from the four islands were either surface sterilized or left unsterilized before being cultured on Tap Water Agar (TWA). A total of 318 fungal colonies were retrieved. A further 96 mites from Dominica were kept on sterile moist filter paper in a humidity chamber and a further 85 colonies were isolated. Based on morphological observations of all 403 isolates, a sample consisting of 32 colonies (8 %) was sent for identification at CABI-UK. Of the 27 fungi positively identified, 15 isolates belonged to the genera Cladosporium, three to Simplicillium spp., and one to Penicillium. Other fungi genera with limited or no entomopathogenic potential included: Aspergillus, Cochliobolus, Fusarium, Pestalotiopsis and Pithomyces. The results show a potential use of entomopathogenic fungi for population management of the red palm mite in the Caribbean region.
Highlights
The red palm mite (RPM), Raoiella indica Hirst, is of Oriental origin (Dowling et al 2012)
The aim of the study was to examine the incidence of RPM cadavers demonstrating mycelial growth or other symptoms indicative of fungal attack; to isolate and identify the fungi involved; and to discuss the potential of further work with entomopathogenic fungi
The highest RPM population densities were encountered in Trinidad-Icacos
Summary
The red palm mite (RPM), Raoiella indica Hirst, is of Oriental origin (Dowling et al 2012). It was first reported in the Caribbean region in 2004 (Fletchmann and Etiene 2004) and is currently widely distributed in most of the Caribbean islands (Kane et al 2005, Rodrigues et al 2007, de la Torre et al 2010). The RPM can cause severe damage to plants of the Arecaceae family, especially coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), and to Musaceae and others (Flechtmann and Etienne 2004, Flechtmann and Etienne 2005, Etienne and Flechtmann 2006, Carrillo et al 2012a). Damage is caused by feeding through the stoma on the abaxial surface of the leaf, lamina altering guard cells leading to yellowing, necrosis and death of infested leaves (Ochoa et al 2011, Beard et al 2012)
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