Rust Mite Research Articles

Predicting early spring emergence and late season overwintering movement of Calepitrimerus vitis (Nalepa) (Acari: Eriophyidae) in grapevine

Abstract The grape rust mite, Calepitrimerus vitis (Nalepa), is an important grapevine pest worldwide. During the period of early spring emergence and movement to the overwintering refuge in the late season, growers need to control C. vitis properly. We developed forecasting models of early spring emergence and late summer overwintering movement of C. vitis in vineyards for control time. Their activation in the early spring was estimated by changes in density between upper bud and the whole bud. The density of C. vitis on buds was estimated using a washing out method. The proportion of C. vitis on the upper bud was increased as accumulated degree-day (DD) was increased. This relationship was well described by a linear regression model. Based on the model, 153 DD with a base temperature of 10.51 °C, at which emergence rate of C. vitis deutogynes was 70%, was proposed as the control time for C. vitis. Movement of deutogynes in the late summer was observed. The ratio of C. vitis movement for hibernation was increased as the relative night length was getting longer. This relationship was well described by a two-parameter Weibull function. Proportion of migrant deutogynes was low in August. It increased sharply when relative night length was 0.499 (11.97 h, middle September). Therefore, control should be conducted before autumnal equinox in late summer at the latest.

Cryptic diversity within grass-associated Abacarus species complex (Acariformes: Eriophyidae), with the description of a new species, Abacarus plumiger n. sp.

Accurate estimation of species richness is often complex as genetic divergence is not always accompanied by appreciable morphological differentiation. In consequence, cryptic lineages or species evolve. Cryptic speciation is common especially in taxa characterized by small and simplified bodies, what makes their proper identification challenging. The cereal rust mite, Abacarus hystrix, was regarded for a long time as a species associated with a wide range of grass hosts, whereas wide host ranges are rather rare in eriophyoid mites. Therefore, the generalist status of A. hystrix was questioned. In this paper we demonstrate that the diversity within Abacarus species associated with grasses is more complex than it was previously thought. The 78 Abacarus mtDNA COI sequences used in this study formed 10 highly supported clades (bootstrap value 99%) and four more distinct genetic lineages were represented by unique sequences. The genetic distances between them ranged from 6.6 to 26.5%. Moreover, morphological study and genetic approach based on the combination of the Poisson Tree Processes model for species delimitation (PTP) and a Bayesian implementation of PTP (bPTP), and Neighbour Joining analyses led to delimitation of a new species within the Abacarus complex: Abacarus plumiger, specialized on smooth brome (Bromus inermis). Furthermore, our analyses demonstrated a pattern of host-associated differentiation within the complex. Overall, our study indicates that cryptic speciation occurs in the grass-associated Abacarus genus, and suggests the need for more extensive sampling using integrative methods.

Aerial Dispersal of Pink Citrus Rust Mite, <i>Aculops pelekassi</i>（Acari: Eriophyidae）

The aerial dispersal of pink citrus rust mite, Aculops pelekassi（Keifer）, was monitored throughout the 2017 citrus growing season by using silicone grease-coated traps. The seasonal pattern of mite dispersal and of the number of mites on fruit showed marked and coincident peaks in early September. There were significant correlations between trap-catch and population density on both the leaf and fruit. Aculops pelekassi individuals were captured even at 80 m distance from infested citrus trees, and the mean±SD dispersal distance under the prevailing conditions was 18.0±16.3 m. These results suggest that A. pelekassi can move among orchards with different pesticide use histories. Therefore, we recommend not only using pesticides but also planting windbreaks in order to control the spread of A. pelekassi.

2018–2019 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Soft-Bodied Insects Attacking Foliage and Fruit

This 5-page fact sheet is part of the 2018–2019 Florida Citrus Production Guide. This section is focused on sucking insects which affect foliage, twigs, and fruit of citrus in Florida. Insects covered here include scales, mealybugs, whiteflies, and aphids that can impact the health of young and mature trees and fruit quality. They differ from each other in their biology, generation times, and injury to plant, but approaches to monitoring and management are similar. Individual discussions of some groups are provided, and the tables of management options are organized by active ingredient, with the target pests from this chapter in bold text. Written by P. A. Stansly, J. A. Qureshi, L. L. Stelinski, L. M. Diepenbrock, and M. E. Rogers, and published by the Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2018. ENY-604/CG004: 2022–2023 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Rust Mites, Spider Mites, and Other Phytophagous Mites (ufl.edu)

Life tables of the predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on two pest mites as prey, Aculops lycopersici and Tetranychus urticae

Studies on the life history and life table parameters of Neoseiulus cucumeris Oudemans (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were carried out under laboratory conditions of 25 ± 1 °C and 65 ± 5% RH; 30 ± 1 °C and 60 ± 5% RH; 35 ± 1 °C and 55 ± 5% RH. As prey, immature stages of tetranychid spider mite T. urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and the moving stages of the Tomato Russet Mite A. lycopersici (Massee) (Acari: Eriophyideae) were selected. The predatory phytoseiid mite, Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) was able to develop successfully from egg to adult stage through the entire life history on both preys. The higher of different temperatures and relative humidities shortened the development and increased reproduction and prey consumption and vice versa. The maximum reproduction (3.91, and 3.09 eggs/♀/day) was recorded at 35 °C and 65% RH, while the minimum (2.12, and 1.90 eggs/♀/day) was at 25 ± 1 °C and 55 ± 5% RH. when N. cucumeris fed on A. lycopersici and T. urticae, respectively. The reproductive rate on eriophyid was significantly higher than previously recorded on tetranychid. Life table parameters indicated that feeding of phytoseiid mite N. cucumeris on tomato russet mite A. lycopersici led to the highest reproduction rate (rm = 0.268, 0.232 and 0.211 females/female/day), while feeding on T.urticae gave the lowest reproduction rate (rm = 0.159, 0.143 and 0.131) at 35 °C and 55% RH, 30 °C and 60% RH and 25 °C and 65% RH, respectively. The population of N. cucumeris multiplied (36.81, 28.71 and 20.47) and (24.60, 19.58 and 14.62 times) in a generation time of (20.10, 23.20 and 25.14) and (22.35, 25.36 and 27.79 days) when a predator fed on A. lycopersici and T. urticae at the same temperature above mentioned, respectively. These results suggest that the two mites, particularly A. lycopersici, proved to be suitable prey for N.cucumeris, as a facultative predator.

Key Plant, Key Pests: Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum)

This series of Key Plant, Key Pests publications are designed for Florida gardeners, horticulturalists and landscape professionals to help identify common pests associated with common Florida fauna. This publication, the first in the Key Plant, Key Pests Series, helps identify the most common pests found on the Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum). This publication provides information and general management recommendations for the cypress leaf beetle, fall webworm, cypress twig gall midge, mealybugs, rust mites and needle blights.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep557

Seasonal prevalence of siso rust mite and siso mosaic disease on perilla

Seasonal prevalence of siso rust mite and siso mosaic disease on perilla

Binomial sampling plan for tomato russet mite (Aculopslycopersici (Tryon) (Acari: Eriophyidae) in protected tomato crops

AbstractThe tomato russet mite (TRM), Aculops lycopersici, is a worldwide pest of cultivated tomatoes. Currently, no effective biological control agents are available on the market. Therefore, chemical spray applications are required. Fast and reliable detection, monitoring and evaluation of interventions are a challenge, slowing down the development of an appropriate integrated pest management (IPM) strategy. This study describes a binomial sampling plan with the aim to reduce the efforts and costs for an accurate monitoring of A. lycopersici. Sampling was performed by taking pictures of the upper leaf surface with a smartphone through an attached magnification lens. A binomial sampling plan was developed based on the linear relationship between ln(mean TRM densities) and ln(−ln(1‐PT), where PT is the proportion of samples with more than T (tally threshold) mites. The minimum precision threshold of 0.30 was determined for the different models. A resampling for validation of sample plans (RVSP) programme with a fixed sample number was used for validation of the model on an independent data set. The binomial sampling plans were validated at tally thresholds of T = 9 and T = 15 with fixed sample sizes of 15, 20, 25 and 30. Precision levels were satisfying within a range of PT‐values from 0.29 to 0.97 for T = 15 at a fixed sample size of 20. This range was much smaller for T = 9, where the PT‐values range between 0.40 and 0.92 at the same sample size. A binomial sampling model with T = 9 with a fixed sample size of 15, which has the lowest time investment, is feasible for glasshouse tomato growers in practice. However, for the development of pest management programmes, a more intensive and more accurate binomial sampling plan with T = 15 and a sample size of minimum 20 is suggested.

Non-destructive recognition and classification of citrus fruit blemishes based on ant colony optimized spectral information

Fast and accurate assessment of citrus fruit blemishes is critical to improve fruit quality and company profitability of citrus packinghouses and juice processing plants. This study aimed to identify spectral signatures of healthy fruit, and fruit exhibiting symptoms or damage from Huanglongbing (HLB), melanose, oleocellosis (oil spot), wind scar, leafminer and rust mites. Fruit samples were classified using identified spectral information. The current work proposes a characteristic waveband selection method based on the combination of the ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm and variable selection principles. Six characteristic wavebands for each type of citrus blemishes were determined. Two different classification methods were established by the acquired characteristic wavebands, including simple layer support vector machine (SVM) classification models and tree-type SVM models. After using the tree-type SVM models, classification accuracies of healthy, HLB, melanose, oil spot, wind scar, leafminer and rust mite categories were 98.4%, 90.8%, 95.2%, 92.0%, 90.8%, 95.2% and 96.8%, respectively. The proposed characteristic wavebands selection methods were therefore very effective in extracting features of citrus fruit with these blemishes and the tree-type SVM classification models made it possible to correctly classify the fruit with high detection accuracies and universality.

Foliar application of macro‐ and micronutrients for pest‐mites control in citrus crops

AbstractPanonychus citri McGregor (“Citrus red mite”) and Phyllocoptruta oleivora Ashmead (“Citrus rust mite”) are key pests of citrus crops in the Chancay valley, Peru, causing dramatical losses in yield and fruit quality. These pest‐mites affect food security in the area, where the small farming prevails, as the citrus crop is the main generating income source for most of households. Small farmers fight against these pest‐mites by spraying nutritional elements on leaves, as it is cheaper and less harmful than using a chemical miticide. Thus, the aim of this work was determining the influence of the foliar application of elements currently used by farmers (Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper, Iron, Manganese, and Boron) and a mix of all of them at two dosage levels on the population dynamic of these two key citrus pests on tangerine cv. Clemenules, along a whole crop season in the Chancay Valley. Panonychus citri was detected on leaves during the whole crop cycle, while Phyllocoptruta oleivora was visible during the third leaf and bloom shooting period. There were not statistical differences between dosages, but statistical differences were observed between treatments and the control, the latter registering the highest population level of both mites during the whole crop cycle. Application of Cu, Mn, Mg, and Zn did show the lowest P. citri population rates, while Fe, Mix, Cu, Mg, and Zn did show the lowest population levels of P. oleivora. The foliage analysis revealed that the nutritional content of leaves of tangerine trees under study during the crop cycle was mostly at optimal levels, according to the standards for the crop. These results support the current practice of farmers and confirm that the foliar application of microelements represents a potential pesticide alternative method for management/control of citrus mites, lowering production costs, avoiding excessive pesticide applications, and increasing yield and fruit quality.

Drought stress promotes the colonization success of a herbivorous mite that manipulates plant defenses

Climate change is expected to bring longer periods of drought and this may affect the plant’s ability to resist pests. We assessed if water deficit affects the tomato russet mite (TRM; Aculops lycopersici), a key tomato-pest. TRM thrives on tomato by suppressing the plant’s jamonate defenses while these defenses typically are modulated by drought stress. We observed that the TRM population grows faster and causes more damage on drought-stressed plants. To explain this observation we measured several nutrients, phytohormones, defense-gene expression and the activity of defensive proteins in plants with or without drought stress or TRM. TRM increased the levels of total protein and several free amino acids. It also promoted the SA-response and upregulated the accumulation of jasmonates but down-regulated the downstream marker genes while promoting the activity of cysteine—but not serine—protease inhibitors, polyphenol oxidase and of peroxidase (POD). Drought stress, in turn, retained the down regulation of JA-marker genes and reduced the activity of serine protease inhibitors and POD, and altered the levels of some free-amino acids. When combined, drought stress antagonized the accumulation of POD and JA by TRM and synergized accumulation of free sugars and SA. Our data show that drought stress interacts with pest-induced primary and secondary metabolic changes and promotes pest performance.

Control program of major diseases and citrus rust mite on satsuma mandarin in organic farming by Bordeaux mixture and flowable sulfur spray and the effects of an openable rain shelter.

Control program of major diseases and citrus rust mite on satsuma mandarin in organic farming by Bordeaux mixture and flowable sulfur spray and the effects of an openable rain shelter.

The tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici (Tryon 1917) (Acari: Trombidiformes: Eriophyidae), is recorded for the first time in Yemen

ABSTRACTThe tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici (Tryon) (Trombidiformes: Eriophyidae), is reported for the first time in Yemen from tomatoes, Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae). This is the second record of A. lycopersici from the Arabian Peninsula after Saudi Arabia.

Behavioural responses to potential dispersal cues in two economically important species of cereal-feeding eriophyid mites

Passively dispersing organisms should optimise the time and direction of dispersal by employing behaviours that increase their probability of being successfully transported by dispersal agents. We rigorously tested whether two agriculturally important passively-dispersing eriophyoid species, wheat curl mite (WCM) and cereal rust mite (CRM), display behaviours indicating their readiness to depart from current host plants in the presence of potential dispersal cues: wind, an insect vector and presence of a fresh plant. Contrary to our expectations, we found that both species decreased their general activity in the presence of wind. When exposed to wind, WCM (but not CRM) significantly increased behaviour that has previously been considered to facilitate dispersal (in this case, standing vertically). Our study provides the first sound test of the function of what have been interpreted as dispersal-related behaviours of eriophyid mites. The low proportion of WCM exhibiting dispersal behaviour suggests there may be predisposed dispersers and residents in the population. Moreover, we found that WCM was generally more active than CRM, which is likely a contributing factor to its high invasive potential.

Seasonal variation of pest mite populations in relation to citrus scion cultivars in northeastern Brazil

Pest populations in a given agroecosystem may be influenced by several abiotic and biotic variables, including the host plant cultivar. We compared the population fluctuation of pest mites in twenty citrus scion cultivars grafted on Rangpur lime (Citrus limonia). Adults of citrus rust mite Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Acari: Eriophyidae), Texas citrus mite Eutetranychus banksi and Tetranychus mexicanus (Acari:Tetranychidae) were monthly counted in each scion cultivar from April 2011 to February 2013 in Sergipe state, northeastern Brazil. Larger E. banksi population peak was recorded on sweet orange ‘Valencia Montemorellos’ in February 2012 compared to the other cultivars and larger populations of T. mexicanus were found on sweet orange ‘Lima’ in January 2013 in comparison to acid limes ‘Tahiti IAC 5’ and ‘IAC 5-1’. The population of P. oleivora, however was not different among scion cultivars and varied only with time. Abiotic and biotic variables were important mechanisms underlying such responses. We conclude that the abundances of the mites E. banksi and T. mexicanus were influenced by scion cultivars only in some periods, suggesting putative resistance mechanisms in some genotypes to these pests.

Low-drift nozzles vs. standard nozzles for pesticide application in the biological efficacy trials of pesticides in apple pest and disease control

The coarse spray air-induction nozzles have documented pesticide drift reducing potential and hence pose lower risk of environmental pollution than the standard fine spray hollow cone nozzles. However, it is questioned that use of the low-drift nozzles might not provide as effective crop protection as the standard nozzles. The objective of work was to assess the pest and disease control efficacy as affected by spray volume rate and nozzle type. The experiment was carried out in apple orchard, cv Jonagold/M26. The evaluated treatments were combinations of three spray volume rates: 250, 500 and 750lha−1, and two types of nozzles: hollow cone nozzles generating very fine spray, and flat fan air induction nozzles producing coarse droplets. The biological performance of treatments was determined based on severity of diseases: apple scab (Venturia inaequalis), powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) and bull's eye rot (Pezicula spp.), as well as population or damage caused by pests: green apple aphid (Aphis pomi), rosy apple aphid (Dysaphis plantaginea Pass.), woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum), apple rust mite (Aculus schlechtendali) and apple blossom weevil (Anthonomus pomorum L.). In general apple scab was equally controlled by all treatments. Only in the years of high infection pressure efficacy of powdery mildew control was better for fine spray nozzles and high volume rates. Green and rosy apple aphids were better controlled with higher volume rates, though significance of the advantage over the lower rates was occasional. No effect of spray quality on efficacy of aphid and mite control was found for any spray volume rate. Better control of apple blossom weevil and woolly apple aphid was achieved with the high spray volume rate providing heavy coverage to the point of run-off. The air induction nozzles having drift reducing potential are biologically efficacious alternative to conventional hollow cone nozzles.

Predatory thrips species composition, their prey and host plant association in Northern Thailand

A survey of predatory thrips, their prey and associated host plants was carried out from February 2013 to February 2014 in Chiang Rai, Phayao, Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Lampang provinces in Northern Thailand. The survey revealed 10 species of predatory thrips in 5 genera in the Family Phlaeothripidae. They were: Aleurodothrips fasciapennis (Franklin), Androthrips flavipes Schmutz, Androthrips ramachandrai Karny, Karnyothrips flavipes (Jones), two indeterminate Karnyothrips sp.1 and sp.2, Leptothrips sp., Podothrips lucasseni (Krüger), and two indeterminate Podothrips sp. 1, and sp. 2. Eleven species of insect and mite pests serving as prey were found associated with 16 species of host plants in 13 families. They were: scale insects, Coccus viridis (Green) and two Coccus spp.; spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell; unidentified gall-making Hemiptera; coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari); unidentified crambid lepidopterous larvae; Kanzawa spider mite, Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida; santol gall mite, Eriophyes sandorici Nelepa; litchi rust mite, Aceria litchii (Keifer); and bamboo green mite, Aponychus corpuzae Rimando. The findings from this investigation could provide basic information necessary for further investigation in the use of some of these predatory thrips as biological control agents of insect and mite pests of economic importance in Thailand.

Varietal preference and population dynamics of Notacaphylla chinensiae Mohanasundaram and Singh on litchi in West Bengal, India

The litchi white rust mite, Notacaphylla chinensiae Mohanasundaram and Singh, 1988 is a pest of litchi in West Bengal, India. Study on population dynamics, sensitive-ness of litchi cultivars towards the mite was conducted between 2009 and 2011. The mite remains active on litchi plants throughout the year in West Bengal, reaching the highest population densities (1300 to 1500 mites/cm 2 leaf) in winter (January/ February). Population densities of N. chinensiae was negatively correlated with monthly mean of the maximum temperature (–0.492), minimum temperature (–0.785), rainfall (–0.665) and minimum humidity (–0.829). Among 11 litchi cultivars, the highest mean population throughout the year was recorded on Nafarpal (440–584 mites/cm 2 leaf) followed by Elaichi (431–597 mites/cm 2 leaf), Bombai (437–600 mites/cm 2 leaf) and Seedless late (444–594 mites/cm 2 leaf), whereas the lowest was assessed on Purbi (146–167 mites/cm 2 leaf) followed by Muzaffarpur (148–184 mites/cm 2 leaf).

Population Fluctuation and Control of the Citrus Rust Mite , Phyllocoptruta Olievora ( Ashmead ) ( Arachnida : Prostigmata : Eriophyidae )

Studies on the population fluctuation and control of the citrus rust mite Phyllocoptruta olievora were carried out on Washington Navel Orange trees in Nubaria, Bohaira, Egypt an important citrus producing area during 2013. The results showed that the citrus rust mite was present on Orange trees throughout the year. The lowest population occurs in December, January and February. Later the population was slowly and gradually increased until June. The period of maximum infestation usually occurs during late July or August or even September. Three annual peaks of seasonal abundance were observed. The first peak occurred in late June being 28.4 and 35.2 individuals per leaf and fruit respectively when temperature and relative humidity averaged 31.5°C & 48.12%. The second peak in late July being 35.5 and 42.9 individuals per leaf and fruit when temperature and relative humidity averaged 30.13°C &58.30%. The third peak, which was the highest, happened in mid-August being 48.6 and 70.5 individuals per leaf and fruit, when temperature and relative humidity averaged 32.16°C & 60.58%. Five acaricides: Abamectin, Challenger, Ortus, Antimite and Sulphur were selected to control P. olievora and their side effects on the predatory mite, Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot. The results indicated that the selected acaricides caused a reduction percentage of the mite population ranged from (73.33-95.12% and (75.30-94.66%) when used on leaves and fruits respectively. The selected acaricides displayed different side effects on the predatory ite where abamactin was the less harmful with a reduction percentage of 12.5% while Ortus was the most harmful with a reduction percentage of 33.33%.

Occurrence of Tomato Russet Mites, Aculops lycopersici Massee (Acari: Eriophyidae) in a Greenhouse and Selection of an Eco-friendly Organic Insecticide

Occurrence of Tomato Russet Mites, Aculops lycopersici Massee (Acari: Eriophyidae) in a Greenhouse and Selection of an Eco-friendly Organic Insecticide