New record of Anthocoptes platynotus Nalepa (Acari: Eriophyoidea) and its abundance on Cornus mas L. in the northern part of a Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine

Abstract

The superfamily Eriophyoidea is a large and diverse group of mites that includes a number of species that parasitise plants of economic importance, mainly perennial plants in agriculture and forestry. The purpose of this study is to examine the cornel plants plantations in the botanical gardens of Kyiv and Zhytomyr (Ukraine) for the presence and damage by mites of the superfamily Eriophyoidea. During the study, field and laboratory methods were used in accordance with generally accepted methods in acarology and plant protection. As a result of the study, on Cornus mas L. plants, a four-legged mite Anthocoptes platynotus Nalepa, 1898 was found. This is the farthest northern distribution zone of the species in Ukraine. New data on the harmfulness of this species were received. It was determined that under A. platynotus feeding, there was a slight deformation of the leaf lamina on both sides of the leaf veins, there was no leaf bleaching. The population level of A. platynotus on six varieties of a plant subg. Cornus was determined. It was established that it was different. Phytophage-mite damaged the varieties “Elegantnyi” and “Kubanskyi” the most. The least affected were the varieties “Mosvir-1” and “Novyi”. The varieties “Bylda” and “Svitliachok” had a medium degree of damage. A. platynotus lives on the underside of a leaf and does not form galls or felt. The peak of phytophagous population in the research region occurs at the end of July. It was noted that a low number of A. platynotus does not substantially affect the growth and development of the leaves on the fodder plant. The practical value of the study lies in the fact that the information on A. platynotus presence, abundance, and spread will help in sampling the mites and making future management decisions