Indian Journal of Ecology

Brown wheat mite Petrobia latens (Muller) (Family Tetranychidae), is a serious pest of rainfed wheat in India. Its infestation is confined to relatively dry regions. It remains active during winter season with peak activity in March. In current study, mite population was recorded in wheat fields from 2004 to 2022 at Ludhiana, India. The population was recorded at 7 days interval, from 30 days after sowing till crop harvest and, correlated with meteorological data through multi-linear models fitted using the REG procedure in SAS model. In addition, periodic surveillance was also carried out in rainfed areas of Punjab-Himachal Pradesh border areas and field areas of Rajasthan. The results revealed that, in general, mite population starts increasing from January-February onwards, reached highest in March and, declined thereafter near crop harvest in April. The mite population showed a positive correlation with maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity and sunshine, and a negative correlation with rainfall. A distribution map of P. latens was prepared. The incidence of brown wheat mite was observed on other crops also, including spices, weeds and pulses.The natural enemies belonging to familyAnystidae, Phytoseiidae grubs and adults of Coccinellidae were also recorded.