Insect Pests of Fruit, Plantation, Medicinal & Aromatic Crops (2+1)

1. Red spider mite - Oligonychus coffeae Nietn. (Tetranyehidae: Acarina)

Damage

• It infests the upper surface of the older leaves making webbing on the leaf surface for shelter.
  
• When the infestation is higher the young leaves may also get attacked which turn brownish, dry up and fall.
Bionomics

• The adult mite is rounded and brick red in colour.
  
• It lays eggs singly on the surface of leaves mostly along the midrib and veins.
  
• Fecundity is about 137 eggs / female.
  
• The egg period is 4-6 days.
  
• The larval stage is followed by two nymphal stages.
  
• The larval nymphal period occupies 6-8 days.