1Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Post Graduate Institute, Rahuri413722, Maharashtra, India
2Department of Entomology, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri413722, Maharashtra, India
3N M College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari395450, Gujarat, India
4All India Network Project on Agricultural Acarology, Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore560065, Karnataka, India
*Email: pravinkhaire26893@gmail.com (corresponding author):
In this study, a series of samples of leaves of neem Azadirachta indica with uniformly distributed circular whitish spots (1-3 mm dia) caused by a spider mite was observed from the Khadambe budruk (BK), Digras and Rahuri village of Ahmednagar district and Detali village of Nashik District of Maharashtra, India. The collected mite species was identified as the nest webbing mite Schizotetranychus baltazari (Rimando) (Prostigmata: Tetranychidae) causing notable harm to the overall plant growth in the early stage of naturally grown neem plants in the field condition during the rainy season of 2023. It has emerged as a new pest of neem in Maharashtra.
Schizotetranychus baltazari, Maharashtra, neem mite, Prostigmata, Tetranychidae, white speckle, leaves hampering, identification, microscopy, AI Camera
