Non insect pests

PHYTOPHAGOUS NEMATODES

Potato Golden nematode

v  Two species commonly called "golden nematode" produce cysts on potato roots: Globodera rostochiensis (the actual 'golden nematode') and Globodera pallida (the pale cyst nematode).

v  Plants are stunted and yellow, and may die off completely, usually in patches in the field. Potato tubers from affected plants are usually small, but show no other symptoms.

MITES

Rice Mite:Oligonychus oryzae :Tetranychidae : Acarina

v  White spots on lower surface of leaves which coalesce leading to development of white or silvery patches

v  Nymph and male mite are yellowish green. Female is green.

Sorghum Mite: Oligonychus indicus:Tetranychidae: Acarina

v  Nymph and male mite are yellowish green. Female is green. Nymphs and adults spin fine webs and Live in colonies.

v  Suck the sap from leaves and cause reddish patches. Entire leaf turns into red.

v  Improper ear heads.

Red spider mite:Tetranychus cinnabarinus: Tetranychidae: Acarina

v  Host: cotton, castor, pulses, groundnut, daincha, sesbania, brinjal, tomato, bhendi, cucurbits, tapioca, beans, grapevine, guava, onion, papaya, sweet orange, rose, jasmine, marigold and jute.

v  Eggs: Deposit their eggs on young foliage. Adult: Generally found on the lower leaf surface. Mite is oval-shaped and dark-coloured

v  Spider mites cause yellow or white spots on the upper surface of the leaflets. Heavy infestation results in bronzing of the leaves, followed by defoliation.

Tea Mites : Nymphs and adults infest upper surface of mature leaves. Infestation starts along midrib and veins and gradually spreads to the entire upper surface of leaves. Affected leaves become bronzed, dry and crumpled.

Red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae Tetranychidae Acarina

v  Adult female is elliptical in shape, bright crimson red anteriorly and dark purplish brown posteriorly. O. coffeae is the largest of all tea mites.

Scarlet mite, Brevipalpus californicus Tenuipalpidae: Acarina

v  Adult mite is scarlet red in colour and ovate in shape. They are slightly bigger than eriophyid mites and can be seen with the naked eye.

Purple mite, Calacarus carinatus Eriophyidae Acarina

v  Adult mites are very small and spindle shaped dark purple in colour with five longitudinal white waxy ridges on the dorsal side.

Pink or orange mite, Acaphylla theae Eriophyidae Acarina

v  Adult is very minute, orange coloured and carrot shaped.

Yellow mite,         Polyphagotarsonemus latus Tarsonemidae – Acarina

v  They are polyphagous species attacking tomato, cinchona, cotton, pulses, potato etc. They are seen on young leaves especially the top two to three leaves and the bud on both leaf surfaces, but more on the lower side.

Eriophyid mite  :Aceria cajani     Eriophyidae: Acarina

v  Eriophyid mite: light-colored, long and spindle-shaped

v  The eriophyid mite is the vector of the pigeon pea sterility mosaic disease.

Coconut Eriophyid mite,       Aceria guerreronis

v  This mite was first reported at Guerrero State in Mexico in 1965.

v  In India first reported at Ernakulamdistrict of Kerala and Pollachi Taluk of Tamil Nadu in 1998.

v  Distribution :Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala,LakshadweepIslands and Tamil Nadu and all the major coconut growing States

v  Total life cycle : 7-9 daysEgg period : 2.5 -4 days. Protonymph : 2 -3 days Deutonymph : 2 -3 daysAdult mite : length 200-250μ: width 36-52 μ.

v  Infestation usually starts 50 days after anthesis. Spreading of mites mostly occurred through the wind. Spreading of this mite has also taken place through the mechanical transfer of the affected nuts from one place to another.

v  The mites infest and develop on the meristematic tissues of the growing nuts under the perianth by desapping the soft tissues of the buttons.

v  In the damaged buttons/nuts, initial symptoms will be in the form as triangular pale white or yellow patches close to each perianth.

v   Different stages of mites live in the white, tender portion covered by the inner bracts of the perianth and suck the sap continuously.

v  When the feeding activity is enhanced due to increased population build up, it results in physical damage to the newly formed tissues that become necrotic. Intensive damage leads to the formation of brown coloured patches later on.

v  In addition, as the nut grows in size, longitudinal tissues and splits occur on the outer surface of the husk.

v  Occasionally, brownish gummy exudates are seen oozing out from the affected surface. Severe infestation results in poor growth reduced size and copra content and malformed nuts with cracks and hardened husk.

Jasmine eriophyid mite, Aceria jasmini  Eriophyidae -Acarina

v  Female is cylindrical and vermiform with two pair of legs and measures about 150- 160 µ long and 44µ thick.

v  Feeding causes felt-like hairy out growth (Erineum) on the surface of leaves, tender stem and flower buds. Growth of the plant is stunted and flower production is affected.

Chillies muranai mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus :Tarsonemidae: Acarina).

v  Mites are also called as yellow mite, yellow tea mite or white mite.

v  Adult: Mites are minute (0.2-0.4 mm) and do not form webs. Body is broad, faint-yellow or white in colour. They are spread by wind, phoretic insects and through contact with plant surface

v  Responsible for murda disease. Damage is usually severe in summer months, which coincides with  flowering season.

v  Nymphs and adults desap in large numbers from the undersurface of leaves, near veins and vein lets. Infested tender leaves become narrow, lean and lanky with lateral downward folding, turn pale, undersized, and become cluster at tip of branches.

v  Petioles of the lower leaves become extremely elongated with narrow lamina and exhibits “rat-tail” symptom.

v  Leaves turn rough and brittle and hence called as murda disease.

v  Infested plants are stunted.

v  Buds become distorted or turn phylloid (leafy), dropped. Plants are with poor pod set and undersized pods.