Английская Википедия:Aceria cynodoniensis

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Aceria cynodoniensis, the bermudagrass mite, is widely distributed, but only infests bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and its hybrids. It lives and develops under the leaf sheaths of its host plant. Infestations of the mite can cause destructive damage to bermudagrass turf and it is often regarded as a harmful pest.

Distribution

Originally described from Egypt, it has been also reported from southern parts of Europe, other parts of Africa, North- and Central America and Australia. In North America it was first recorded in 1959 in Arizona and is now mainly found in southern States.

Biology

The adult female of A. cynodoniensis ranges from 165 to 210 µm in length and has a worm-like body. The female lays eggs inside the leaf sheaths of bermudagrass. Like other eriophyid mites, the species is arrhenotokous, meaning that unfertilized eggs become males and fertilized eggs become females. After hatching, the mite passes through 2 nymphal stages before moulting to the adult stage. The development from egg to adult mite can be completed in 5–6 days.

Damage and Management

The feeding activities of the mite induces deformations (witch's brooms), stunting, thinning and eventually patches of turf die off. The damage reduces the aesthetic and recreational value of managed bermudagrass. Mite damage increases in dryer years but decreases in wetter years and is usually most severe in spring when new tillers are formed.

Management strategies for bermudagrass mites that rely solely on miticides are ineffective and additional cultural control methods are necessary. These include adequate irrigation of the turf and reduced input of nitrogen fertilizers (0.5 kg N/ha).