The Tomato Russet Mite, Phyllocoptes destructor Keifer: Its Present Status

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Abstract
The tomato russet mite, which has been reported from the Hawaiian Is. and Spain, was first found in Modesto, California, in May, 1940, and has now spread to 27 counties. Known hosts include tomato, petunia, potato, nightshade, Solanum nigrum, S. villosum, the tomatillo, Physalis ixocarpa, Datura stramonium, and D. ferox. This mite develops most profusely on red fruiting vars. of tomato. Injury first appears on the stalk and spreads upward to stems and leaves. Fruit is attacked only in severe cases. Commercially, principal injury is due to loss of foliage which permits sun-burning of fruit and may result in losses of from 1/3 to 1/2 of the crop. A total loss can occur. Continuous reproduction of the arrhenotokous type takes place from early May to Nov. or until frost. The life cycle may be completed in 7 days at 70[degree] F. In one culture, the population doubled every 3 or 4 days after the first week. Growth and survival depend on perennial availability of green tissue and feeding mites move from injured drying to fresh green tissues. Natural enemies appear to be scarce. Application of 30 lbs. of a 25% sulfur dust mixture per acre, with or without a stomach poison, will hold an infestation down for 3 or 4 weeks. Dusting is usually unnecessary before the middle of July or after the middle of Sept.

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