Feeding Damage Induced by Brevipalpus Phoenicis Geijskes (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) on the Invasive Weed, sLantana Camara L.

Abstract

The flat mite, Brevipalpus phoenicis is a very common species of tenuipalpid mite, exhibiting an extensive host range and causing economic damage on all types of economic crops, globally. Exotic plants lead to large scale ecosystem degradation due to rapid increase in extent and severity of their invasion. In the present study, an attempt was made to elucidate the feeding damage induced by B. phoenicis on an invasive weed plant, Lantana camara, under laboratory conditions. Qualitative analysis of the feeding damage induced by the species enabled to record variable symptoms like the development of chlorotic spots, necrosis, brown colouration, drying up of leaves, etc. Quantitative assessment of leaf damage was made by analysis of each category of leaf samples viz. uninfested, lightly infested, moderately infested and heavily infested leaves of L. camara separately, following Arnon’s (1949) method. Data were analyzed statistically following one-way ANOVA and were found highly significant at p value ≤0.05. Results of quantitative studies disclosed significant loss in both chlorophyll a, b pigments and total chlorophyll (75.8±1.8, 85.2±1.01 and 161.03±2.7% respectively), owing to feeding activity of B. phoenicis, thereby revealing the potential of B. phoenicis in suppressing the weed L. camara.

Keywords: Invasive plant, chlorophyll, chlorotic spots, necrosis

Cite this Article
Saritha C, N. Ramani. Feeding Damage Induced by Brevipalpus Phoenicis Geijskes (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) on the Invasive Weed, Lantana Camara L. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Life Sciences. 2019; 9(2): 104–108p.

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