OCCURRENCE OF THE BROAD MITE Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) IN Spilanthes oleracea AND OTHER HOST PLANTS IN AMAZONAS STATES, BRAZIL

Abstract

Abstract: Spilanthes oleracea is an unconventional vegetable native to the Amazon, is widely cultivated in several municipalities of the North Brazil. Few pests have been found and identified effectively in this culture, with no record to phytophagous mite. Thus, the purpose of this study was to record the first occurrence of Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) in S. oleracea crops, characterizing the damage and reporting the occurrence of other host plants in Central Amazonia. The main damage caused by P. latus in leaf of S. oleracea are hardening and shrinking of the younger leaves, leaving them unfit for marketing.   KEY WORDS: diversity, pest mites, tropical agriculture.