Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard, 1960

Zriki, G., Shaabo, A. & Boubou, A., 2015, A preliminary survey of the spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) in Latakia governorate of Syria, Acarologia 55 (3), pp. 303-309 : 306

Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard, 1960

The red tomato spider mite Tetranychus evansi was first reported from north-east Brazil in 1952 ( Silva 1954), from where the species probably originated ( Boubou et al. 2011, Boubou et al. 2012). This mite has recently emerged as a new threat to solanaceous crops in Africa and Mediterranean basin, with invasions characterized by a high reproductive output and an ability to withstand a wide range of temperatures ( Bonato 1999, Boubou et al. 2011, Migeon et al. 2015).

Specimens examined — 10 ♀♀ and 10 ♂♂ on Solanum lycopersicum (Solanaceae) , Al Hannadi (35°29’19.15"N, 35°51’45.06"E), 29-IX-2011; 10 ♀♀ and 10 ♂♂ on Solanum nigrum, Karsana (35°36’31.90"N, 35°49’6.27"E), 5-X-2011; 10 ♀♀ and 10 ♂♂ on S. nigrum, Arab al-Melk (35°15’54.18"N, 35°55’38.16"E), 22-X-2011.; 10 ♀♀ and 10 ♂♂ on Solanum sp. , Al Herajiia (35°44’18.63"N, 35°52’58.63"E), 5-X-2011.

Remarks — Latakia is one of the main solanaceous crops growing regions of Syria and this mite represents certainly a real menace for agriculture in this region.