Mite Pests of Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida

Several mite species attack southern highbush blueberries (SHB), including the southern red mite (Oligonychus ilicis McGregor (Acari: Tetranychidae)), the false spider mite or flat mite (Brevipalpus yothersi Baker) and the blueberry bud mite (Acalitus vaccinii Keifer). The southern red mite is the key mite pest attacking blueberry plants in the southeastern US (Lopez and Liburd 2020). The false spider mite is a secondary leaf feeding mite pest that was reported attacking southern highbush blueberry in 2016 (Akyazi et al. 2017). This publication discusses southern red mites and flat mites on SHB in Florida, including life cycle, damage, and management practices.

Brevipalpus Species Vectoring Citrus Leprosis Virus (Cilevirus and Dichorhavirus)

Citrus leprosis (CL) is one of the most devastating viral diseases of orchards, and industries correspondingly invest highly in the management and control of the virus vector. In Brazil, the disease is caused most predominantly by the citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C, Kitaviridae: Cilevirus), and also by citrus leprosis virus N (CiLV-N, Rhabdoviridae: Dichorhavirus). Both viruses are transmitted by false spider mites and at least three different species, Brevipalpus yothersi Baker, B. papayensis Baker, and B. phoenicis (Geijskes) sensu stricto, have been reported in citrus orchards. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the capacity of three Brevipalpus species to transmit citrus leprosis virus (cytoplasmic and nuclear types). The capacity of false spider mites to acquire the virus was accomplished using RT–PCR and the ability to inoculation the virus to host plants (common bean and sweet orange) was assessed via viral transmission assays. Common beans infested with B. yothersi and B. papayensis showed symptoms of CiLV-C in 87.5 and 17% of the plants assessed, respectively. In sweet orange, B. yothersi was exclusively able to inoculate CiLV-C, and around 83% of samples were symptomatic. Host plants infected with CiLV-N showed symptoms only when infested with B. phoenicis sensu stricto (s.s.). All the Brevipalpus species (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) were able to acquire both viruses (CiLV-C and CiLV-N), but not infect plants. These results suggest the existence of virus-vector specificity in the leprosis pathosystem, and this information will be critical for enhancing our further understanding of epidemiological features and disease management.

Evaluation of acaricides against false spider mite, Tenuipalpus aboharensis (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), a pest of pomegranate

False spider mites are serious pests of pomegranate and frequently cause considerable economic losses in other fruit crops as well. A field experiment conducted to evaluate eleven acaricides against Tenuipalpus aboharensis infesting pomegranate plants, revealed that wettable sulphur at 2.5 g and dicofol at 2.5 ml per litre were very effective and other acaricides viz. propargite, fenpyroximate, chlorfenapyr and buprofezin were also found effective against T. aboharensis.

Draft Genome Assembly of the False Spider Mite Brevipalpus yothersi

The false spider mite Brevipalpus yothersi infests a broad host plant range and has become one of the most economically important species within the genus Brevipalpus. This phytophagous mite inflicts damage by both feeding on plants and transmitting plant viruses.

The Tenuipalpidae (Acari: Trombidiformes) of Israel

An annotated list and key to the 26 species of phytophagous false spider mites (Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae) known from Israel is provided. About two thirds are exotics, having invaded Israel within the last 35 years. Eight species, namely Brevipalpus californicus, B. lewisi, B. obovatus, B. phoenicis, B. yothersi, Raoiella indica, Tenuipalpus granati and T. punicae are agricultural pests. The others have little economic impact, or are possibly controlled by natural enemies. A key to all the species is given.