Tuckerellidae

Vacante, V., 2010, REVIEW OF THE PHYTOPHAGOUS MITES COLLECTED ON CITRUS IN THE WORLD Vincenzo V, Acarologia 50 (2), pp. 221-241 : 228

Tuckerellidae

Four species of Tuckerellidae are recorded on citrus worldwide ( Vacante, 2010) ( Table 3), but their level of damage is unclear. Although Gerson (2003) stated that they neither cause much economic injury nor require control measures, Ochoa et al., (1994) reported that the peacock spider mite, Tuckerella pavoniformis (Ewing) , and the ornamented mite, Tuckerella knorri Baker and Tuttle , damaged citrus fruit in Central America. The pest status of the remaining two species remains unknown.

Tuckerella pavoniformis has a worldwide geographical distribution and has never been associated with serious damage to citrus. The peacock spider mite was recorded in Central America as a pest of citrus plants and fruits. The need for control is not widespread and at present interests only the Central America ( Ochoa et al., 1994).

Tuckerella knorri has a wide geographical distribution (Oriental, Neotropical, and Palearctic regions) and in Costa Rica is a serious citrus pest. The ornamented mite occurs in association with the fungus Sphaceloma fawcetti Jenkins ( Ochoa, 1989) and is considered a causative agent of the cracking of citrus fruits ( Aguilar and Gonzalez, 1990). Insufficient information is available, except in Costa Rica where there is the need for control.