Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0983
ISSN: 2161-0983
R. N. Singh
Accepted Abstracts: Entomol Ornithol Herpetol
Several phytophagous mite species are becoming problem pests in the recent years due to intensive agriculture and high input production systems all over the country. In India only 5-8% mites are described in comparison to 30,000 described species of the world. The total expected un-described species of the mite are 20 times of the described species. A study on mite problem in Indian agriculture has gained momentum because of the awareness of farmers. The damage caused by many species is obvious but only a limited effort has been made to visualize the problem of detrimental species. The major plant feeding mites of families Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae, Eriophyidae and Tarsonemidae are described in the paper. The major pest species of tetranychid are Tetranychus urticae, Tetranychus neocalidonicus, Tetranychus ludeni, Tetranychus macfarlanei, Eutetranychus orientalis, Eutetranychus hirsti, Oligonychus indicus, Oligonychus coffeae, Oligonychus mangiferus, Schizotetranychus andropogoni. In this group Panonychus citri has been identified as emerging pest on apple in Himachal Pradesh. Petrobia latens has been identified as a serious pest for dry land agriculture on coriander and wheat in Rajasthan. Among tenuipalpid mite, Larvacarus transitans has been listed as a serious pest of Ziziphus mauritiana in Rajasthan. In eriophyid mite, Aceria guerreronis has been listed as mite of national importance. In tarsonemid group, Polyphagotarsonemus latus has been identified as serious pest on chilli. The knowledge on important detrimental species is necessary when our agriculture is continuously expanding. There is regular fall in stability and sustainability of useful species due to rapid change in cultural practices. Therefore, the aim of the present paper is to visualize the magnitude of the mite problems on important crop. The paper also suggest future thrust on use of bio-agents for integrated mite control (IMC), recognition of eco- friendly acaricide for IMC, problem of mite outbreak, acaricide resistance and its management.