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30 September 2019 What is the Southern Limit of the Distribution of Red Palm Mite, Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), in Agricultural Lands in Brazil?
Geovanny Barroso, Claudiane Martins da Rocha, Grazielle Furtado Moreira, Fernando Teruhiko Hata, Samuel Roggia, Mauricio Ursi Ventura, Amarildo Pasini, José Eduardo Poloni da Silva, Anderson Mathias Holtz, Gilberto José de Moraes
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Abstract

The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), has been considered one of the most threatening pests of coconut, banana, and other monocotyledonous plants. It now has been reported from several Brazilian states, but little is known about its current distribution in the southern half of Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution of R. indica and the associated predatory mites in mid-southern Brazil, and to determine the possible southern limit to its distribution in the country. It was found in the Federal District and in 49 municipalities of 9 states, of which the southernmost was Iporã, Paraná State (24.007222°S, 53.698333°W). The majority of the surveyed sites south of Iporã had higher altitude than this municipality and surveyed sites immediately north of it. Thus, sites south of Iporã seem ecologically unsuitable to R. indica, most probably because of the low temperature in the winter. Eighteen species of predatory mites were found in association with R. indica, all of which belong to the order Mesostigmata, and 14 of which belong in the family Phytoseiidae. However, they are not R. indica-specific, as most have been reported from coconut (and other plants) in Brazil and elsewhere, regardless of the occurrence of R. indica.

Geovanny Barroso, Claudiane Martins da Rocha, Grazielle Furtado Moreira, Fernando Teruhiko Hata, Samuel Roggia, Mauricio Ursi Ventura, Amarildo Pasini, José Eduardo Poloni da Silva, Anderson Mathias Holtz, and Gilberto José de Moraes "What is the Southern Limit of the Distribution of Red Palm Mite, Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), in Agricultural Lands in Brazil?," Florida Entomologist 102(3), 581-585, (30 September 2019). https://doi.org/10.1653/024.102.0334
Published: 30 September 2019
KEYWORDS
Coconut
natural enemies
phytoseiid mites
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