POPULATION FLUCTUATION OF CITRUS RUST MITE Phyllocoptruta oleivora (ASHMEAD, 1879) (ACARI, ERIOPHYIDAE) IN CITRUS ORCHARDS IN THE WEST OF SANTA CATARINA
Abstract
The citrus rust mite Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead, 1879) (Acari, Eriophyidae) causes stains on fruits and leaves, reducing fruit quality and orchard production. To study the interferente of environmental factors in the population fluctuation of this pest, two six-year-old 'Valência' orange orchards were sampled fortnightly from 1997 to 2000 in the West of Santa Catarina. In each evaluation, using 10 X magnifying lenses, the number of mites was observed in lcm 2 portions, in preferential areas of the pest, of three fruits or leaves, from 20 trees in each orchard. The greatest infestation and damage occurred between February and May, characterizing this mite as one "key" citrus pest in the region. Correlation analyses of the monthly mean sum of mites observed in each evaluation in the two orchards and the monthly total rains (p), monthly total insolation (i), mean monthly wind speed (v) and mean monthly temperature for two months before the evaluation date (tmd) showed "r" values of- 0.31; 0.21; - 0.22; and 0.44, respectively. The linear regression analyses with 0.05 probability resulted in the equation = - 349,11 + 38,33 tmd - 0,86 p, with R2 = 0.32.
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