Population dynamics of rubber tree mites

Abstract

Calacarus heveae is considered the most common pest mite in rubber tree crops in Southeast and Midwest Brazil. We evaluated the population dynamics of mites in GT 1, PB 235, PR 255 and RRIM 600 rubber tree clones from crops in the Goiás State, Brazil. We sampled leaves between June 2013 and June 2014 in 10 trees for each rubber tree clone. Calacarus heveae and Tenuipalpus heveae populations were counted in four 1 cm2-areas distributed on each middle leaflet sampled, whereas all other mites were found on lateral leaflets. Calacarus heveae reached a population peak between March and May 2014. PR 255 and RRIM 600 sheltered the densest population of C. heveae. We sampled six predatory mite species, highlighting Euseius citrifolius. GT 1 and PB 235 had higher abundance of predatory mites. This is the first study carried out on the population dynamics of phytophagous mites associated with rubber trees in the state of Goiás.