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Ronald F.L. Mau, Extension Entomologist
Jayma L. Martin Kessing, Educational Specialist
Department of Entomology
Honolulu, Hawaii
This pest attacks papaya.
This mite was first found in Hawaii on papaya farms in Kahuku, Oahu in 1990 and was later found on farms in Kaaawa and Haleiwa (Hamasaki and Heu, 1991). It has not been reported on any other islands. This mite is a minor pest of papaya in the Philippines.
In Hawaii this mite attacks both fruits and leaves (Hamasaki and Heu, 1991). The mite feeds by rupturing the cells and sucking the sap from the skin which produces scars on the fruit. Damage is more evident on older fruit. Feeding by large numbers of mites causes the surface to take on a brown and slightly roughened appearance. Heavily infested fruits may also have a white powdery material on the surface that resembles spray residue. Closer examination of the white material reveals that it is composed of large numbers of mite skins which are shed during development. Damage to leaves can result in the rolling of leaf edges and the leaves take on a discolored sheen. In the Philippines this mite does not attack the papaya fruit directly and damage is restricted to rolling leaf edges (Jeppson, et .al., 1975).
EGGS
No descriptions have been found.
LARVAE
NYMPHS
ADULTS
The adult mite is purplish with 4-rayed featherclaws. Refer to Jeppson, et. al. (1975) for a detailed description under microscopic examination.
No Information.
NON-CHEMICAL CONTROL
No information is available.
CHEMICAL CONTROL
Hamasaki, R. T. and R. A. Heu. 1991. Calacarus brionase Keifer. Notes and Exhibitions. Proc. Hawaiian Entomological Soc. 31: 30.
Jeppson, L. R., H. H. Keifer and E. W. Baker. 1975. Mites Injurious to Economic Plants. University of California Press; Berkeley, Los Angeles, London. 614 pages.
NOV/1992.
C-BRIONE
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