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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #391718
Research Project: Systematics of Acari and Hemiptera: Plant Pests, Predators, and Disease Vectors

Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Title: Temporal incidence of eriophyid mites on rose rosette disease- symptomatic and -asymptomatic roses in central Georgia, USA

Author
item MONTERROSA, ALEJANDRA - University Of Georgia
item PARET, M - University Of Florida
item Ochoa, Ronald - Ron
item Ulsamer, Andrew
item JOSEPH, SHIMAT - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Pathogens
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/8/2022
Publication Date: 2/11/2022
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/7684707
Citation: Monterrosa, A., Paret, M.L., Ochoa, R., Ulsamer, A.W., Joseph, S.V. 2022. Temporal incidence of eriophyid mites on rose rosette disease- symptomatic and -asymptomatic roses in central Georgia, USA. Pathogens. 11(228):1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11020228.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11020228

Interpretive Summary: Rose rosette disease (RRD) is a serious disease of rose caused by the rose rosette virus (RRV). An tiny eriophyid mite is the vector of RRV. Because there is no cure for RRD, this disease threatens the rose industry, including container nurseries and cut flowers in the U.S. The seasonal occurrence and abundance of the vector and where they colonize on the plant is poorly studied in Georgia. The eriophyid mites are active from April to December on rose plants. The eriophyid mites were more abundant on the plants with RRD symptoms than on plants without any symptoms. The mites were found on leaf bases and sepals than any other plant parts. These results will help to develop integrated pest management strategies for the mite vector and reduce the spread of RRD. This paper will be helpful for scientists, biologist, entomologist, pest control and quarantine officers.

Technical Abstract: Phyllocoptes fructiphilus Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) is the vector of rose rosette virus (RRV), which causes rose rosette disease (RRD) in the U.S. The RRD symptoms, such as witches’ broom, flower, and leaf deformation, disrupt the aesthetic appearance of plants and cause plant mortality. Because there is no cure for RRV, it is critical to manage the vector and reduce the spread of the virus. The information on the phenology of P. fructiphilus on rose plants is essential to develop management and reduce its spread. Thus, the objectives of the study were to determine 1) the phenology of eriophyid mites (including P. fructiphilus) in central Georgia due to its widespread occurrence in the state and 2) the incidence of eriophyid mites on closed and opened flower buds and other plant parts. In central Georgia, eriophyid mites, including P. fructiphilus were active on both symptomatic and asymptomatic plants from April to December. The mite densities were greater during July and August than during the remaining months on asymptomatic plants. The mites were more abundant on the RRD-symptomatic than on the asymptomatic plants. Similar numbers of eriophyid mites were observed on closed and opened flower buds. Eriophyid mite densities were greater on sepals and leaf bases than on other plant parts.