TUBER VEGETABLES :: MINOR PESTS::RED SPIDER MITES

5. Red spider mites: Tetranychus urticae (Tetranychidae: Acari)

They cause damage during rainless summer. Mites infest underside of leaves on either side of the mid-rib. Infested regions turn yellowish. Attacked plants are stunted. Developmental period varies from 9 to 12 days and adult life from 4 to 10 days. A female lays about 4-26 eggs. Mites can be controlled by using acaricides like monocrotophos 750 ml or dicofol 750 ml or wettable sulphur 1.0 kg in 500 L of water per ha.