The influence of the population dynamics of spider mites on Annona spp. under the pesticides stress

Four species of spider mites were investigated on Annona spp. (sugar apple and atemoya) in the 1980s: Eutetranychus orientalis, Oligonychus coffeae, O. mangiferus, and Tetranychus neocaledonicus. Results showed that populations of these spider mites changed in the last decade, with T. kanzawai becoming the dominant species since 1999. By investigating the species component of spider mites during 2009-2013, O. coffeae remained as the dominant species in the winter, T. piercei was found only one time at Beinan Township, but O. mangiferus and T. neocaledonicus were not discovered. However, the two-spotted spider mite, T. urticae, might be a substitute for T. kanzawai at Banjiu village of Beinan Township, and individuals of the former retained highly acaricide resistance potential than the latter. The evolution of species of spider mites might be caused by the pesticides used for controlling mealybugs and diseases. Thus, we suggest that the tactics of pest control on sugar apple and atemoya should be adjusted in order to slow down pesticide stress on spider mites.