The impact of eriophyoids on crops: recent issues on Aculus schlechtendali, Calepitrimerus vitis and Aculops lycopersici.

Abstract

The nature of the damage caused by eriophyoid mites and the assessment of yield losses still require detailed studies if appropriate control and risk mitigation strategies are to be planned. The economic importance of eriophyoid mites is increasing worldwide and a lot of species have reached a permanent pest status in certain crops, while others represent a quarantine threat for several countries. Due to their relevant role in Europe and elsewhere, three eriophyoid mites that have been frequently reported in recent research, are here considered as case studies: two of them (the apple rust mite, Aculus schlechtendali, and the grape rust mite, Calepitrimerus vitis) colonise temperate fruits, while one (the tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici) affects vegetables. The damage assessment related to the apple rust mite has been evaluated on different apple varieties with implications for pest control. Some factors affecting the spread and economic importance of the grape rust mite have been identified. The complexity and difficulty in controlling the tomato russet mite by chemicals enhances the interest in biological control agents. Considerations on interactions between eriophyoids and host plants (e.g. resistance, varietal susceptibility), on pest management regimes (e.g. impact of fungicides, resistance to acaricides, perspectives on biological control) are presented.