Seasonal influence on the population density of Stylophoronychus vannus (Rimando, 1968) (Acari: Tetranychidae) infesting bamboos in Kerala

Authors

  • C P Vibija  Research Scholar, Division of Acarology, Department of Zoology, University of Calicut, Kerala, India
  • N Ramani  Professor, Division of Acarology, Department of Zoology, University of Calicut, Kerala, India

Keywords:

Stylophoronychus, Temperature, Rainfall, Relative Humidity, Population

Abstract

Stylophoronychus vannus (Rimando, 1968), is a tetranychid mite dwelling mainly on bamboo plants. The impact of climatic factors on the population density of this mite on a selected species of bamboo, (Bambusa vulgaris var. striata) growing in the Nilambur region of the Malappuram district was studied during the period of November, 2012 to October, 2013. Results of the study indicated a general preference of the mite to inhabit on the adaxial surface of bamboo leaves and its feeding activity induced visible symptoms like the development of chlorotic spots and patches on the leaf surface. As observed during the study, temperature was found to exert an increase in the population density, with an average of 30 mites per leaf, when the temperature was maximum. The mite population showed a decreasing trend with the onset of monsoon season, and then showed a slow recovery afterwards. The paper also discusses the effect of relative humidity and rainfall on the population density of S. vannus. Statistical analysis of the data enabled to record a significant positive correlation between temperature and mite population (r = 0.748) whereas relative humidity and rainfall showed a negative correlation (r = -0.09 and r = -0.39 respectively).

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International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology

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Published

2018-02-28

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Volume 4, Issue 2, January-February-2018

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Research Articles

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How to Cite

[1]
C P Vibija, N Ramani, " Seasonal influence on the population density of Stylophoronychus vannus (Rimando, 1968) (Acari: Tetranychidae) infesting bamboos in Kerala, International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology(IJSRST), Online ISSN : 2395-602X, Print ISSN : 2395-6011, Volume 4, Issue 2, pp.95-99, January-February-2018.