AVRDC
Crop Protection Guides

Onion Family Pests
 

Eriophyid mite

Eriophyes tulipae

In This Guide
  Damage symptoms
  Mite characteristics 
  Where to look 
  Technical information 
  Control 

Damage symptoms

Leaves are distorted and wilted. They appear to curl and have brown areas. Bulb development is slow and the bulbs are small. Plants may turn brown and die.


Mite characteristics

Extremely small, about the size of a particle of sand. Mites are not visible to the naked eye. They are hidden and grouped around the mid-vein.

  

Damage to garlic
 

Damage to garlic
   


 

Where to look

Obtain at least a 20x magnifying glass and inspect both sides of the leaves where you see browning of leaf tissue at the mid-vein. These tiny, rather spindle-shaped creatures appear like little white worms with two pairs of legs. Individuals of different sizes usually live together.

  

 

Mite along mid-vein

Technical information

Eriophyid mites have been implicated in the transmission of some mosaic viruses. Generations may be continual in favorable climates. Mortality is usually high when climatic conditions are unfavorable, i.e., extremely warm temperatures and low relative humidity.

Control

To be added later.
Last updated: July 2000. 
Information from: Field Guide: Insect Pests of Selected Vegetables in Tropical and Subtropical Asia. 1995. B.L. Parker, N.S. Talekar and M. Skinner. Publication 94-427. Pest control recommendations added. 

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