Detection of Tetranychus evansi in New South Wales and Queensland

Publication Date

Thu, 23 Nov 2017, 02:20

Last Updated

Nov. 23, 2017, 2:20 a.m.

Report Number

AUS-87/1

Country

Australia

Pest Id

Tetranychus evansi - (TETREV)

Report Status

Final

Hosts

Tetranychus evansi has a broad host range that includes plants from more than 30 families, containing a large number of crop species in Solanaceae, such as tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), potato (Solanum tuberosum), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and capsicum (Capsicum annuum). Other commercial hosts include beans (Phaseolus spp.), citrus (Citrus sp.), cotton (Gossypium spp.), maize (Zea mays) and ornamentals such as roses (Rosa spp.). The preferred weed host for T. evansi is the nightshades (Solanum spp.), with other weed hosts in Amaranthaceae, Brassicaceae, Convolvulaceae, Malvaceae, Poaceae and Solanaceae (Migeon & Dorkeld 2017)

Pest Status (old values from ISPM 8 -1998 )

• Present: only in some areas

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

• Present: not widely distributed and under official control

Geographical Distribution

Tetranychus evansi was first detected in Australia in 2013, at three locations in the Sydney area on Solanaceous weed species in New South Wales. In October 2017, T. evansi was reported on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and nightshade (Solanum sp.) in a Brisbane backyard in Queensland. The mite has not been reported in any commercial production areas at this time.

Summary

Eradication of T. evansi from Australia is not considered technically feasible. Feeding from the mite results in leaves becoming yellowish white and mottled. Leaf defoliation follows infestation and plants may die in severe attacks. This spider mite often creates large amounts of webbing. The mites disperse by walking but can also spread by wind and the movement of infested plants/plant material.

Danger

T. evansi is polyphagous, preferring to feed on wild and cultivated Solanaceae plants, as well as a range of other crops, ornamentals and weeds. The mite’s rapid development and continuous reproduction leads to quick population growth, causing economic damage.

Contact for info

Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer Australian Government Department of Agriculture GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 [email protected]

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