TROPICAL PEST MANAGEMENT, 1988, 34(4) 438-440

Phytophagous mites in the North Eastern Hill Region of India

(Keywords: Phytophagous mites, survey, record, symptoms.)

S. K. GANGWAR and LAKSHMAN LAL†

Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Division of Entomology,Bishnupur, Shillong-793 013, India, †Central Potato Research Station, Shillong-793 009, India

Abstract. The mites attacking Important plants in the North EasternHill region of India were surveyed for 3 years from 1984. The mitesrecorded belonged to three families: Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidaeand Eriophidae. The most common and widely distributed specieswere Eutetranychus orientalis, Tetranychus telarius, Tetranychuscucurbitae and Brevipalpus phoenicis, which attacked a number ofvegetables and fruit trees. The total number of mite species recordedin Meghalaya were 10 on 28 plants, in Tripura 6 on 17 plants, inManipur 5 on 14 plants, in Nagaland 3 on 7 plants, in ArunachalPradesh 3 on 5 plants and Mizoram 3 on 6 plant species.

Introduction

The first definite record of a phytophagous mite in Indiawas published by Wood-Mason (1884) who reported theoccurrence of Tetranychus bioculatus on tea from Assam.After that, little work had been done and by 1964 only about35 species were known to occur (Ghai, 1964). Significantcontributions were published during the last decade and thenumber of species known went up to 125 (Channabasavan-na, 1974). In recent years the phytophagous mites havebecome important pests and many crops, ornamental plants,fruit trees and medicinal plants have been reported to beseverely damaged in different parts of India (Gupta, 1970;Gupta et al., 1971; Sadana, 1972; Singh and Putatunda,1974; Nagesh Chandra and Channabasavanna, 1976; Laiand Mukherji, 1977; Puttaswamy and Channabasavanna,1979; Dhooria, 1981). A good deal of attention has been paidto insect pests in the NEH Region, but only a few casualrecords on phytophagous mites on some crops, (Ram, et al.,1981).

The North-eastern Hill Region of Arunachal Pradesh,Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tri-pura is unique geographically, has great diversity of climate,influenced by altitude, and a variety of vegetation. As theclimate favours different types of vegetation, it is alsoconducive to the multiplication of mite pests. This paperreports a survey of the status of mites as pests and theirother host plants.

identification. The areas surveyed were Arunachal Pradesh(Basar and Itanagar), the valley of Manipur (Imphal), Megha-laya (Shillong, Barapani and Nongpoh), Mizoram (Kolasiband Aizawl), Nagaland (Dimapur) and Tripura (Agartala,Lambucherra, Belonia sub-division of South Tripura andSonanura of West Tripura).

Results and discussions

Table 1 shows that a large number of plants were infestedwith phytophagous mites in the Region. The mites belongedto three families: (i) Tetranychidae (ii) Tenuipalpidae (iii)Eriophidae. The most devastating were Eutetranychus orien-talis and Tetranychus sp.

Due to sucking of the cell sap from leaves, the injuryappeared as numerous whitish specks. With more mites, thepale areas become larger and leaves turned yellow. In thecase of Eutetranychus orientalis, the leaves had a dirty-whiteor brown powder on the upper surface, with the lower surfaceclean and normal. After rain, whitish specks appeared on theleaves. Some active stages were found on the lower surfacewith thickened veins. Tetranychus sp. was recorded mostlyfrom lower leaf surfaces. Bronzing of leaves was the mainsymptom, with fine webbing. Tenuipalpidae mites wererecorded mostly from lower leaf surfaces, without webbing.The mites were most active from October to May. InMeghalaya, about 28 species of plants, mostly vegetablesand fruit trees were severely damaged by 10 species ofmites. The common species were Eutetranychus orientalis,Tetranychus telarius, Tetranychuscucurbitae and Brevipal-pus phoenicis. Six mite species on 17 plants in Tripura, 5mites on 14 plants in Manipur, 3 mites on 7 plants inNagaland, 3 mites on 5 plants in Arunachal-Pradesh and 3mites on 6 plants species in Mizoram were recorded duringsurvey. All the species of mites recorded during the inves-tigations seem to be first record from this region althoughRam era/., (1981) reported the presence of Tetranychus sp.on bean and brinjal from Manipur.

Materials and methods

The symptoms and damage caused by phytophagousmites were surveyed for 3 years, 1984-1986, in the NEHRegion of India. Plants showing sickness or abnormalappearance were examined for the presence of mites. Theinfestation was graded into mild, moderate and severe. Themites were collected in 70% alcohol with a camel hair brushand brought to the laboratory for slide preparation andspecies identification. A pocket lens was used to check thepresence of mites on the material collected. Unidentified hostplants, preferably with flowers, were coded and pressed for

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Director, ICAR ResearchComplex for providing facilities.

References

CHANNABASAVANNA, G. P., 1974. All India Summer Institute inAcarology held at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalorefrom June 17 to 13, 1974, 89.

DHOORIA, M. S., 1981. Studies on ovipositional preference, hostrange and seasonal incidence of Eutetranychus orientalis inDelhi. Indian Journal of Acarology. 6, 77-83.

Phytophagus mites in NEHR India

Table 1. Phytophagous mites in the NEH Region

439

Scientific name

MeghalayaAbelmoschus esculentus L.Citrus reticulata L.Citrus aurantifolia S.Carica papaya L.Cassia fistula L.Cucurbita pepo L.

Cucurbita moschata Duch.

Cucurbita maxima

Chrysanthemum-coronarium L.Dahelia sp.Ficus carica

Hibiscus sp.Helianthus annus L.Morus alba L.Nerium sp.Oroxylum indicum Vent.Olea chinensisPhaseolus vulgaris L.Prunus persicae (Batcach)Prunus domestica L.Pyrus cummunis L.Psidium guajava L.Rosa indica L.Ricinus cummunis L.

Vigna sinensis

Zea maysZinia sp.TripuraAegle marmelos Corr.Abelmoschus esculentus L.Bauhinia variegata L.

Cassia fistula L.Carica papaya L.Cajanus cajanCitrus reticulataCucurbita moschata Duch.Dalbergia sissoo (Roxb.)Ficus carica L.Ficus rocemosa L.Helianthus annus L.Oroxylum sp.Psidium guajava L.Rosa indica LSolanum melongena L.Zizyphus jujuba MillManipurAbelmoschus esculentus L.Carica papaya L.C/frus aurantifolia S.C/frus //mon; OsbeckC/frus megaloxycerpa L.Citrus reticulata L.Capsicum frutascens L.Cajanus sp.Cucurbita moschata PiorCucurbita pepo L.

Host plants

Common name

Lady's fingerOrangeLemonPapayaAmaltasSquash

Pumpkin

Patha

ChrysanthemumDaheliaRg

GudhalSunflowerMulberyKanerArluOliveBeansPeachPlumPearGuavaRoseCastor

Cowpea

MaizeZinea

BelLady's fingerKachanar

AmaltasPapayaArharOrangePumpkinSissooFigRgSunflowerArluGuavaRoseBrinjalBer

Lady's fingerPapayaLimeLemonCitrusOrangeChilliesArharPumpkinSquash

Family

MalvaceaeRutaceaeRutaceaePassifloraceaeLeguminoseaeCucurbitaceae

Cucurbitaceae

Cucurbitaceae

CompositeaeCompositeaeUrticaceae

MalvaceaeCompositeaeUrticaceaeApocynaceaeBignoniaceaeOleaceaeLeguminoseaeRosaceaeRosaceaeRosaceaeMyrtaceaeRosaceaeEuphorbiaceae

Leguminoseae

GramineaeCompositae

RutaceaeMalvaceaeLeguminoseae

LeguminoseaePassifloraceaeLeguminoseaeRutaceaeCucurbitaceaePapilionaceaeUrticaceaeUrticaceaeCompositaeBignoniaceaeMyrtaceaeRosaceaeSolanaceaeRhamnaceae

MalvaceaePassifloraceaeRutaceaeRutaceaeRutaceaeRutaceaeSolanaceaeLeguminoseaeCucurbitaceaeCucurbitaceae

Mite species

Tetranychus telarius L.Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Eutetranychus orientalisEutetranychus orientalisEutetranychus orientalisTetranychus cucurbitaeRahman and SapraTetranychus cucurbitaeRahman and SapraTetranychus cucurbitaeRahman and SapraTetranychus telarius L.Tetranychus ludeni ZacherAceria ficus (Cotte)Eotetranychus hirstiPritchard and BakerTetranychus telarius L.Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes)Aceria mon (Keifer)Aceria nerii ChannabasavannaBrevipalpus phoenicisEutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Tetranychus telarius L.Eufefranychus orientalis (Klein)Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes)Eutefranychus orientalis (Klein)Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Tetranychus telarius L.Tetranychus cucurbitaeRahman and SapraOligonychus indicus (Hirst)Brevipalpus phoenicis

Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Tetranychus telarius (Klein)Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Eotetranychus uncatus GarmanEutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Eotetranychus sp.Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Tetranychus cucurbitaeEutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Eotetranychus hirsti (P and B)Eotetranychus hirstiBrevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes)Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes)Brevipalpus phoenicisEutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Tetranychus telarius L.Eufefranychus orientalis (Klein)

Tetranychus telarius L.Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Eutetranychus sp.Eutetranychus sp.Eotetranychus sp.Tetranychus sp.

Family

TetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidae

Tetranychidae

Tetranychidae

TetranychidaeTetranychidaeEriophidaeTetranychidae

TetranychidaeTenuipalpidaeEriophidaeEriophidaeTenuipalpidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTenuipalpidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidae

TetranychidaeTenuipalpidae

TetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTenuipalpidaeTenuipalpidaeTenuipalpidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidae

TetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidae

Status

SevereSevereSevereSevereSevereSevere

Moderate

Mild

MildModerateSevereModerate

MildMildMildMildSevereSevereSevereMildMildMildSevereSevereModerateModerateModerate

MildModerate

SevereSevereMildSevereSevereSevereSevereMildModerateMildModerateModerateMediumSevereSevereSevereModerateMild

SevereSevereSevereSevereSevereModerateMildMildMildModerate

440

Table 1. (cont)

S. K. Gangwar and L. Lai

Scientific name

Lagenana seceraria L.

Phaseolus vulgaris L.Psidium guajava L.

Prunus persica BatschNagalandCucurbita sp.Citrus reticulataSolanum melongenaPhaseolus sp.Ricinus commuais L.Rosa MicaZizyphus sp.Arunachal PradeshCarica papaya L.Citrus sp.Cucurbita sp.Rosa indica L.Solanum melongenaMizoramAbelmoschus esculentusPhaseolus sp.Solanum melongenaIpomaea batata LCucurbita sp.Citrus reticulata

Host plants

Common name

Sponge gourd

BeanGuava

Peach

CucurbitCitrusBrinjalBeanCastorRoseBer

PapayaCitrusPumpkinRoseBrinjal

Lady's fingerBeansBrinjalSweet potatoCucurbitsCitrus

Family

Cucurbitaceae

LeguminoseaeMyrtaceae

Rosaceae

CucurbitaceaeRutaceaeSolanaceaeLeguminoseaeEuphorbiaceaeRosaceaeRhamnaceae

PassifloraceaeRutaceaeCucurbitaceaeRosaceaeSolanaceae

MalvaceaeLeguminoseaeSolanaceaeConvolvulaceaeCucurbitaceaeRutaceae

Mite species

Tetranychus cucurbitaeRahman and SapraTetranychus telarius L.Tetranychus telarius L.Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes)Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)

Tetranychus cucurbitaeEutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Tetranychus orientalisTetranychus orientalisEutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Tetranychus sp.Eutetranychus sp.

Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Tetranychus sp.Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein)Tetranychus telarius

Tetranychus telarius L.Tetranychus sp.Tetranychus telarius L.Eutetranychus orientalisTetranychus sp.Eutetranychus orientalis

Family

Tetranychidae

TetranychidaeTetranychidaeTenuipalpidaeTetranychidae

TetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidae

TetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidae

TetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidaeTetranychidae

Status

Moderate

MildMildSevereMild

SevereSevereSevereSevereModerateModerateModerate

SevereModerateModerateMildModerate

SevereModerateSevereModerateSevereSevere

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