Economically important species of mite (Acari: Tetranychidae; Eriophyidae) in apple orchadrs

Abstract

Under favorable environmental conditions, mites can represent a significant problem in apple production. Several types of mites are found on apples, only a few are of economic importance: Panonychus ulmi, Tetranychus urticae, T. turkestani and Aculus schlechtendali. All the mentioned species have a high reproductive potential, which in warm and dry conditions leads to a rapid growth of populations. The period of activity and feeding of mites begins in spring and lasts until autumn, and the most pronounced symptoms are noticeable during the summer months. Nutrition and leaf tissue damages cause chlorosis and/or necrosis, photosynthetic disorders, increased transpiration, defoliation, fruits remain small, lose quality and decline, so yield losses can be extremely large.