Tetranychus gloveri (Acari: Tetranychidae): an emerging threat to tissue culture banana plantlets in nurseries

Abstract

For many decades, mites are posing threat to agricultural and horticultural industries. Recently mite infestation in Horticultural nurseries has become serious problem in Kerala, India. Purposive sampling surveys were conducted in the Horticultural nurseries of Thrissur and Ernakulam districts to record the incidence of mite pests on nursery plants. Study of morphological characters like setae and aedeagus confirmed the mite species infesting TC banana plants is Tetranychus gloveri Banks.