Ecological interactions between Tegolophus brunneus Flechtmann (Acari: Eriophyidae) and Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) (Eriophyidae) in citrus

• Grant number: 22/04556-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2022
• End date: May 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Daniel Júnior de Andrade
• Grantee: Leticia Caroline Penteado Innocente
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The citrus brown mite Tegolophus brunneus is a species morphologically similar to the citrus rust mite Phyllocoptruta oleivora. In addition, T. brunneus causes symptoms identical to those caused by P. oleivora in citrus plants. Previous studies have verified that these two mite species do not occur simultaneously in the same plant structures or plant. Knowing the ecological interactions between these mites is essential to determine the growth potential of these pests. Therefore, the main objective of the project will be to study the ecological interactions between P. oleivora and T. brunneus in citrus in order to determine the existence of competition between these species. The research will be carried out in three stages: 1) confirmation of the non-simultaneous occurrence of T. brunneus and P. oleivora in the same plant structure or plant; 2) establishment of artificial rearing in the laboratory and 3) studing the population development of T. brunneus and P. oleivora in the same plant structure. Plant material with symptoms of the P. oleivora attack will be collected in citrus orchards to confirm the non-simultaneous occurrence of T. brunneus and P. oleivora infesting the same plant structure and plant. Collected specimens will be used for the establishment of artificial rearing in the laboratory. Then, experiments will be carried out to evaluate the population development of T. brunneus and P. oleivora kept in the same plant structure. Thus, this study will allow to understand the ecological interactions between these mites, and developing future rational control strategies.(AU)