Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks, 1904)

Fornazier, M. J., Martins, D. S., Fanton, C. J. & Benassi, V. L. R. M., 2019, INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT IN CONILON COFFEE, Conilon coffee - The Coffea canephora produced in Brazil, Vitória, ES, Brasil: Incaper - Capixaba Institute for Research, Technical Assistance and Rural Extension, pp. 493-533 : 2033-2034

Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks, 1904) (Acari: Tarsonemidae )

Description and Biology

These mites were observed occurring in the coffee tree for the first time in Brazil, in Espírito Santo (CHIAVEGATO et al., 1974). It is known as a broad mite, tropical mite or white mite. It is white in color and measures 0.17 mm in length. Their eggs are of white color and placed isolated in the inferior face of the new leaves, where they spend their whole life. This species does not weave web and its population development is favored by high temperatures and rainy weather, being able to complete a generation in the period of three to five days.

Losses

As a consequence of these mites attack, the new leaves become coriaceous and depressed in the central part with the edges facing downwards ( Figure 14 ), due to the uneven growth of the leaf blade, evolving to necrosis and tearing. When these symptoms manifest themselves, no mites are found in these leaves. It is important in nurseries with excessive irrigation and in plantations, in which the seedlings are infested by the pest.

Method of control

The broad mite is polyphagous and can be found in planted cultures intercropped with conilon coffee, mainly in beans and papaya ( GALLO et al., 2002). Thus, intercropped plantations of conilon with papaya may imply higher levels of damage for both crops, especially for papaya because it is more sensitive to this pest attack.

The chemical control can be carried out with specific acaricides in localized application.

Figures

Figure 14. Coffee tree leaves with the broad mite attack symptoms.