The Chilli Yellow Mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, belonging to the Family Tarsonemidae of the Order Acarina, is a tiny arthropod insect pest of Chilli crops, causing significant yield losses and reducing the quality of crops worldwide. The Chilli Yellow Mite pest is also called the Muranai mite, Broad mite, or Spider mite. The Chilli Yellow Mite pest is known to attack Chilli crops throughout their growth cycle, from seedling to maturity. These invasive pests are highly destructive, causing severe damage to the leaves and fruits of the Chilli plant.
Effective management strategies are essential to minimize the impact of this pest on Chilli production. To effectively manage this pest, it is important to understand its life cycle, its preferred habitats, and the best methods for controlling it. This article will provide an overview and discussion of the Chilli Yellow Mite Pest in Chilli crops, including its symptoms, identification techniques, and control.
Chilli Yellow Mite Pest Management
Life Cycle of Chilli Yellow Mite Pest in Chilli Crop
The life cycle of the Chilli Yellow Mite pest has four stages. They are egg, larva, nymph, and adult. The adult female Chilli Yellow Mite lays eggs on the surface of the leaves or stems of the Chilli plant. The eggs are usually laid in clusters and can hatch within 2-3 days, depending on temperature and humidity. Once the eggs hatch, the Chilli Yellow Mite enters the larval stage. The larvae feed on the plant sap, which lasts about 1-2 days, and then molts into the next stage.
The nymphs are slightly larger than the larvae and continue feeding on the plant sap. The protonymph stage lasts about 1-2 days, after which they molt into adulthood. The female mites are larger than the males and can lay up to 60 eggs during their lifetime. The adult stage lasts 2-3 days before the mite dies. The Chilli Yellow Mite has a relatively short life cycle of 6-12 days, depending on environmental conditions.
Occurrence of Chilli Yellow Mite Pest in Chilli Crop
- Location of Chilli Yellow Mite Pest: This pest infests Chilli crops in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Africa, Sri Lanka, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, the Philippines, and Australia.
- Host Range: The Chilli Yellow Mite pest infects crops like Chilli, Peppers, Eggplant, Tomato, Cucumber, Beans, Roses, Chrysanthemums, and Gerberas.
Factors Favoring the Population Increase of Chilli Yellow Mite Pest in Chilli Crop
- The pest thrives in warm and humid conditions and prefers warm temperatures between 25-30°C. The pest’s lifespan can be shortened at higher temperatures, and it becomes less active.
- The pest thrives in high-humidity conditions, and its population can increase rapidly when the relative humidity is above 70%. Therefore, areas with high humidity and low airflow favor pest development.
- Over-fertilization can lead to rapid plant growth and lush foliage, providing ideal conditions for the pest to thrive.
- Overwatering can also increase humidity levels, making the plants more susceptible to infestation.
- Overusing broad-spectrum insecticides can eliminate natural predators of the pest, allowing their population to increase rapidly.
- Repeated use of the same pesticide can also lead to the development of pesticide-resistant strains of the pest.