OKRA :: MAJOR :: PEST OF RED SPIDER MITE

7. Red spider mite: Tetranychus telarius (Tetranychidae: )

Distribution and status
Africa, Pakistan, Middle East, Sri Lanka, South East Asia, USA and Japan.

Nymph	Adult

Host range
Bhendi, cotton, tomato, brinjal, castor, cucurbits, tea, citrus, grapes, rose, jasmine, marigold.

Damage symptoms
Nymphs and adults feed on ventral leaf surface, under protective cover of fine silken webs. As a result of their feeding numerous yellow spots appear on dorsal side of leaves.  Affected leaves gradually start curling, finally wrinkled and crumpled.

Bionomics
Egg period: 3-5 days.  nymphal period: 6-10 days.  Adult: Ovate, reddish brown.

Management
Spray wettable sulphur 50 WP 1.0 kg (or) dicofol 1.0 L or abamectin 1.9 EC @ 500 ml which is a new acaricide or fenpropathrin 30 EC 250-340 ml in 500 L water/ha.