Occurrence, Damage, and Basic Research on the Prevention and Control of the Litchi Erineum Mite Aceria Litchii

Studies indicate that the litchi erineum mite (Aceria litchii) has strong survival ability and can normally grow, reproduce, and complete successive generations on litchi trees. The mite exhibits hydrophobic and photophobic characteristics and can enter a dormancy-like state at low temperatures. Its infestation can cause changes in the composition and content of related chemical substances in host leaves, and its distribution within the litchi tree canopy shows clear regularity. Blunt predatory mites can effectively control the occurrence and damage caused by A. litchii. The relative influence of ecological factors on population dynamics varies by developmental stage: for nymphs, the order is temperature > humidity > natural enemies > rainfall; for adults, natural enemies > rainfall > humidity > temperature; for the entire population, temperature > humidity > natural enemies > rainfall. In field control of A. litchii, integrated management should be implemented by comprehensively considering local climatic conditions, the biological and ecological characteristics of the mite and its sensitivity to pesticides, and the occurrence of natural enemies. The litchi erineum mite Aceria litchii, commonly known as the litchi erineum mite or hairy spider mite, is a worldwide pest mite and a major pest of litchi (Litchii chinensis) and longan (Dimocarpus longan) in China. Since the mid-1980s, the author has conducted relatively systematic studies on the occurrence, damage, and basic control of the litchi erineum mite on Hainan Island, in order to lay a foundation for research on the occurrence, development, and control of pest mites on Hainan Island and throughout China.