Aponychus schultzi (Blanchard, 1940) (Prostigmata: Tetranychidae) on chayote plants in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37486/2675-1305.ec08037

Keywords:

Sechium edule, Spider mite, Phytophagous mites, Leaf injuries

Abstract

The chayote, Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz (Cucurbitaceae), is a perennial herbaceous plant cultivated across Brazil. Although the spider mite Aponychus schultzi (Blanchard, 1940) (Tetranychidae) has been previously recorded infesting this crop only in the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Paraná, we here report its first occurrence infesting chayote plants in Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil. Leaf injuries on the adaxial surface and diagnostic morphological traits of the species are presented. These findings extend the known association between A. schultzi and chayote to Rio Grande do Sul, broadening the geographic distribution of this host-mite association in southern Brazil.

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References

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Published

2026-09-11

How to Cite

Ferla, J. J., Wurlitzer , W. B., Schneider, J. R., Pinheiro, G. M., & Ferla, N. J. (2026). Aponychus schultzi (Blanchard, 1940) (Prostigmata: Tetranychidae) on chayote plants in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Entomological Communications, 8, ec08037. https://doi.org/10.37486/2675-1305.ec08037

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