Spider mites of sugarcane in Australia: a review of grass-feeding Oligonychus Berlese (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae) |
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| Authors: | Jennifer J Beard David Evans Walter Peter G Allsopp |
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| Institution: | Department of Zoology &Entomology and Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Plant Protection, University of Queensland, Qld 4072, Australia.;Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, Private Bag 4, Bundaberg DC, Qld 4670, Australia. |
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| Abstract: | Abstract In many areas of the world, spider mites are significant pests of sugarcane. Australia is currently fortunate in lacking the most destructive species, and usually suffers only sporadic damage. Herein, we provide a key to the genera of spider mites associated with sugarcane, review the most significant genus, Oligonychus Berlese, and provide a key to the species of grass-feeding Oligonychus in the Australasian region. The species O. araneum Davis, O. digitatus Davis, O. grypus Baker and Pritchard, O. orthius Rimando, and O. oryzae (Hirst) are redescribed, while the Australian O. zanclopes sp. n. Beard and Walter from sugarcane and rice, O. turbelli sp. n. Beard and Walter, O. ephamnus sp. n. Beard and Walter and O. festucolus sp. n. Beard and Walter from other grasses, are newly described. Previous records of O. grypus in Australia appear to be misidentifications of what is described here as the new species O. zanclopes . |
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| Keywords: | Graminaceae maize Oligonychus rice sugarcane Tetranychidae Tetranychus |
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