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Transcript
Exotic Pest Alert: Banana spider mite January 2014, Primefact 1323, 1st edition Plant Biosecurity, Orange Banana spider mite (Tetranychus piercei) is an exotic plant pest This mite is a serious threat to Australia’s banana industry Please report suspect symptoms promptly to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881 Banana spider mite Banana spider mite is also called banana leaf mite, banana red mite or Pierce’s spider mite. This mite is a native of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Its close proximity to northern Australia is a concern to the Australian banana industry. The first signs of banana spider mite infestations are small brown spots on the lower sides of banana leaves. As mite populations increase these lower leaf surfaces become reddish-brown (Figure 1). The other sign that banana spider mite is present is white, silky webbing. Webbing is found on the lower leaf surfaces and on the plant stems. Leaf symptoms may not be evident in the early stages of banana spider mite infestation. Figure 1 Banana spider mite damage (reddishbrown marks) on the under sides of banana leaves Damage Banana spider mite damages banana plants by feeding on their plant sap. Feeding by the mites slows plant growth and reduces banana yields by delaying fruit maturity. Description Adult banana spider mites have dark red bodies, eight legs and a spider-like appearance. The adult mites are 0.3-0.5 mm long (Figure 2). A magnifying glass or hand lens is needed to find the adult mites, as they are only twice the size of the full stop at the end of this sentence. Figure 2 Adult banana spider mite (0.3-0.5 mm long) feeds on the sap in banana leaves Exotic Pest Alert: Banana spider mite Lifecycle Banana spider mite has five lifecycle stages: eggs, larvae, protonymphs, deutonymphs and adults. Reporting If you suspect banana spider mite: call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 The females lay up to 155 eggs on the under sides of host plant leaves. take photos not samples to minimise the risk of spreading this pest The larvae hatch and feed on plant sap, covering the plant leaves with small brown spots. They go through two nymph stages to become adults. email clear photos with a brief explanation and contact details to [email protected] Banana spider mites overwinter as eggs or females on plant stems, leaf litter and topsoil. Only one infertile female is required to start a new infestation. Hosts Banana spider mite infests cultivated and wild bananas (Musaceae). Other host plants include green bean, eggplant, paw paw and sweet potato. Spread Banana spider mite nymphs and adults can crawl short distances. Banana spider mite infestation starts at the base of the banana plant. The mites then slowly move up the stem of the infested host plant. Banana spider mite can be spread further by wind, insects, birds and humans. An exotic plant pest is a disease causing organism or an invertebrate not present in Australia and which threatens agricultural production, forestry or native and amenity plants. Acknowledgments Figure 1 courtesy of Jeff Daniells, Principal Horticulturist, Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Figure 2 courtesy of Plant Health Australia Distribution Banana spider mite is found in China, Indonesia, Japan, Kampuchea, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Biosecurity Put in place biosecurity best practice actions to prevent entry, establishment and spread of pests and diseases: practise “Come clean, Go clean” ensure all staff and visitors are instructed in and adhere to your business management hygiene requirements source propagation material of a known high health status from reputable suppliers monitor your crop regularly keep records isolate banana plants or areas with suspect symptoms to prevent further spread 2 NSW Department of Primary Industries, April 2014 © State of New South Wales through the Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services 2014. You may copy, distribute and otherwise freely deal with this publication for any purpose, provided that you attribute the NSW Department of Primary Industries as the owner. Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (April 2014). However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of the Department of Primary Industries or the user’s independent adviser. Published by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. PUB14/2