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Red spider mite in chilli

The chilli 'red spider mite' name in Indian usage covers a complex of two acarine pests: the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Tetranychidae) and the broad / yellow mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Tarsonemidae). Together they constitute one of the most chronic pest problems of the south Indian chilli crop.

Identification and symptoms

Mites feed on the under-surface of leaves, causing bronzing, downward curling and stippling. In heavy infestations they cause defoliation and pod scarring. The downward leaf-curl direction distinguishes mite damage from the upward leaf curl produced by thrips (Pest Thrips Parvispinus Black Thrips) and by chilli leaf curl virus (Disease Chilli Leaf Curl Virus).

Host crops / Life cycle

The principal species are Tetranychus urticae and Polyphagotarsonemus latus. Both are highly polyphagous and complete multiple generations per crop cycle under warm dry conditions. Chilli of all segments is affected (Chilli Guntur Sannam, Chilli Teja Segment, Chilli Byadgi Segment).

Damage and economic impact

Heavy mite pressure can substantially reduce yield through leaf-area loss and through fruit scarring that downgrades dry-pod quality. Byadgi-segment hybrids targeted at the oleoresin market (Chilli Syngenta Hph 2043, Chilli Syngenta Hph 5531) are reported as particularly sensitive.

Management (cultural, biological, chemical)

TNAU and ICAR-IIVR studies validate several effective miticides, applied in alternation to delay resistance:

  • Conventional miticides — propargite, spiromesifen, abamectin, diafenthiuron, chlorfenapyr, fenazaquin
  • Low-residue / organic — wettable sulphur sprays
  • Calendar fit — included in the mid-season window of the standard IPM spray schedule (Practice Chilli Spray Schedule)

A monograph view of the P. latus-dominated yellow-mite complex is given at Pest Mites Chilli.

Pest Mites Chilli, Pest Thrips Parvispinus Black Thrips, Practice Chilli Spray Schedule

References

  1. Yellow / broad mite on chilli. TNAU Agritech crop protection page.
  2. Management of yellow mite in chilli. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, ICAR.