New Spider Mite - Scientific Advisory Services

New Spider Mite
found in Bananas in North Queensland
INTRODUCTION
In November 2014, a red spider mite was found on several banana plantations around Innisfail and
the Atherton Tablelands during crop monitoring, which looked quite different to the normal red
spider, Tetranychus lambi that is found here. T. lambi will be referred to as ‘banana spider mite ‘ in
the rest of this article.
The new mite was red in the adult stage and produced a silvering on the underside of the leaf, as a
result of feeding, whereas the banana spider mite adult is greenish in colour and produces a lighter
yellowish colour at the feeding site which later turns brown.
The mite was brought to the attention of Biosecurity Queensland who subsequently confirmed that
the mite was a different species previously only found in the Northern Territory. The mite was
identified as Tetranychus gloveri and has no common name although it has been called the cotton
red mite in the United States.
DAMAGE
Damage is mostly confined to the undersides of the leaf and results in a silvering of the leaf.
Feeding sites on the leaf underside appear silver at first then as the leaf ages become bronzed (similar to
damage caused by banana spider mite).
Information note prepared by Richard Piper, Scientific Advisory Services ©2014
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Bronzed areas of leaf where T. gloveri have caused feeding damage.
BIOLOGY
The conditions that have occurred in the spring and early summer of 2014 have been unusually dry
and hot. Innisfail has only received 5- 15% of its average rainfall for the 3 months from September
to November.
Under these conditions banana spider mites have increased rapidly and it is not surprising that the
T. gloveri populations have been found during these conditions. The conditions favouring the new
mite will be likely to be the same as those favouring the banana spider mite.
The new mite produces a large amount of silk webbing on the leaf underside and tends to prefer to
feed along the midrib of the leaf or in folds of the leaf. The eggs and the motile stages (nymphs and
adults) are scattered amongst the webbing and when viewed through a magnifying glass can be
seen to be distributed throughout the web, not just sitting on the leaf surface. The banana spider
mite does not produce significant amounts of this webbing and all stages are on the leaf surface.
The adults of T. gloveri are dark pink to red in colour and are very obvious on the leaf surface
compared to banana spider mites. The adults may be slightly larger than banana spider mite adults.
T. gloveri has previously been found in the Northern Territory and the finding of the species in north
Queensland is regarded as a range extension so that Biosecurity Queensland (BQ) will be taking no
action against this species. The mite is found on numerous weeds, crop and ornamental plants.
CONTROL
The control of T. gloveri is likely to be achieved using the same strategies as are used for banana
spider mite control. The biological control agents including the mite eating ladybird, Stethorus sp.
and predatory mites have been observed preying on T. gloveri, so that management practices
should be performed to conserve these beneficials. The miticides currently registered for banana
spider mite control appear to be providing control of T. gloveri. It is not considered that this species
will be any more difficult to control than the banana spider mite, which is widely spread in north
Queensland banana growing areas.
Information note prepared by Richard Piper, Scientific Advisory Services ©2014
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Adults and cast skins of Tetranychus gloveri on underside of banana leaf.
Adult and small dark round eggs of Tetranychus gloveri on leaf.
Information note prepared by Richard Piper, Scientific Advisory Services ©2014
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An adult (red –brown) and two nymphs of Tetranychus gloveri on the underside of a banana leaf. The black
material left of centre is a faecal droplet and the white materials are portions of shed mite skins.
Three adult Tetranychus gloveri adults.
Information note prepared by Richard Piper, Scientific Advisory Services ©2014
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Eggs of T. gloveri are laid on the webbing and may be clear (freshly laid) or darkly coloured
(close to hatching).
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Paul Edwards, Cropwatch Information Services and Hannah MacKay for
assisting with the photography of the mites in the field. Delina Connell (Scientific Advisory Services)
assisted with production and upload of the article to web. I also wish to thank the grower who
allowed me access to his property to inspect and photograph the mites.
Indemnity
Scientific Advisory Services Pty Ltd does not make any representations or warranties in respect hereof and
expressly disclaims any liability for loss, damage or expenditure of whatsoever nature, which may result from
reliance on the contents of any advice given
Information note prepared by Richard Piper, Scientific Advisory Services ©2014
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