Tenuipalpus Donnadieu, 1875 and Brevipalpus Donnadieu, 1775 in cultivation of orchid Dendrobium phalaenopsis Fitzg

Abstract

The transit of infested plants may favor the introduction of herbivores into pest-free regions. In this study, we reported the occurrence of pest mites in Dendrobium phalaenopsis Fitzg. Mites were collected from orchid leaves with lesions. We identified Brevipalpus californicus (Banks, 1904) (sensu latu), Brevipalpus yothersi Baker, 1949 and Tenuipalpus orchidofilo Moraes & Freire, 2001 (Tenuipalpidae). These species had not been registered in D. phalaenopsis. This study reinforces the importance of adequate phytosanitary care for orchid cultivation, since these mites can infest other cultivated plants and damage orchids.

Flat mites (Tenuipalpidae) from Bahia state, Northeastern Brazil - a checklist including new records and an illustrated key to species

“…in the present study, with leaves presenting a large number of chlorotic points. Damage to the orchid Dendrobium phalaenopsis were recently reported in the state of Bahia, and was probably caused by the flat mites T. orchidofilo, B. yothersi and B. californicus (see Silva et al 2022).…”

“…Moraes & Freire, 2001 Records in Bahia. Silva et al 2022: 1. This species was not collected in the present study.…”