Colonization, Abundance, and Damage of Raoiella indica Hirst on Cultivars of Musa spp. at Tabasco, México.

The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst, is a pest recently introduced and propagating in the Neotropical region where the extent of potential damage to cultivars of Musa spp. is not well known. Three basal leaves of each young 'Dwarf Giant' banana ( Musa AAA Cavendish), 'Horn' plantain ( Musa AAB Plantain), and 'Date' banana ( Musa AA Sucrier) were experimentally infested with 200 adult mites per leaf. As a check, three coconut palms ( Cocos nucifera L.) of cultivars 'Pacific Tall', 'Malayan Dwarf', and the hybrid ('Pacific Tall' x 'Malayan Dwarf') were infested. The objective was to evaluate colonize and increase in abundance of the pest, as well as damage it can cause in the humid tropics of Mexico. After 4 months, the number of adult mites per infested leaf had increased 2.4 to 5.3 times on Musa spp. cultivars and 43.4 to 54.1 times on cultivars of C. nucifera. Similarly, the rates of eggs, larvae-nymphs, and adults on nearby leaves were less on Musa spp. than on C. nucifera. Mild damage was observed on 'Horn' plantain and 'Date' banana, moderate damage on 'Dwarf Giant' banana, and the coconut palms were severely damaged. The rainfall had a negative effect on colonization and development of R. indica. Torrential rain and prolonged drizzle during most of the year in the study area regulated R. indica in host plant in the region. Effect of weather on decrease in abundance as well as phytosanitary practices should be considered when managing the pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]