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

2. Scarlet mite

2. Scarlet mite - Brevipalpus californicus Geij. (Tenuipalpidae : Acarina)

Damage

• The mite infest on the lower surface of the leaves causing yellowing of leaves.
  
• The bark on the leaf petiole of the affected shoot split, turn brown and dry up.
Bionomics

• The mite is flat, elongated and oval and scarlet in colour with black marks dorsally.
  
• It lays bright red eggs on the under surface of leaves.
  
• Female lays about 47 eggs during ovipositon period of 40 days.
  
• The egg period is 6-13 days.
  
• The life cycle is completed in 21-28 days.