Acari fauna association and yield loss assessment of rice due to sheath mite, Steneotarsonemus spinki (Smiley) in the gangetic Basin of West Bengal

An exploratory survey was conducted to know the acarifauna associated with rice ecosystem in the Gangetic Basin of West Bengal. Altogether six species of Phytoseiid mite, two species of other than Phytoseiid mite and five species of phytophagous mites were recorded. Among the Phytoseiid mite, Neoseiulus imbricatus was found as a predominant predatory mite associated with rice. Concerning the plant feeding mite, Steneotarsonemus spinki (Smiley) is one of the most damaging mite. This mite was observed to colonize and continuous feeding on inner surfaces of leaf sheath and developed air spaces between the two leaf sheathes. Abundant of brownish specks was found on the grain which turned into brownish discoloration as a result caused of 20.44% yield loss in rice.