Humber, R.A., Moraes, G.J. de, Santos, J.M. de, 1981.
Natural infection of Tetranychus evansi (Acarina: Tetranychidae) by a Triplosporium sp. (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) in northeastern Brazil. Entomophaga, 26 (4): 421-425.
Abstract
In irrigated areas of north-eastern Brazil, Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard is an important pest of processing tomatoes, frequently causes substantial losses. In 1979, surveys carried out in experimental plots of tomatoes in the region of Petrolina (Pernambuco) showed that a fungus of the genus Triplosporium was present, infecting all stages of the mite, its incidence was greatest during April-June, which corresponds to the end of the rainy season. It appeared that the pathogenic effect of the fungus, and the direct effect of rainfall were important factors in reducing mite populations. The morphological characteristics of the fungus are described and compared with those of other mite-infecting species of Triplosporium. The taxonomic status of the fungus present in the Petrolina region is discussed.
