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Red Spider Mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Arachnida: Acari-Tetranychidae):

A Threatening Pest to Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Production in Eastern
Ethiopia

Article · March 2016

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 Red Spider Mite, Tetranychus Urticae Koch
(Arachnida: Acari-Tetranychidae):
A Threatening Pest to Potato (Solanum Tuberosum
L.) Production in Eastern Ethiopia
Muluken Goftishu, Mashilla Dejene, Ashenafi Kassaye and Tesfaye Belay
School of Plant Sciences, Haramaya University, P. O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia;
E-mail: mulukengoftishu@yahoo.com
Abstract
Following the outbreak of a spider mite infestation on the main season of 2014 on
potato at Haramaya district, field surveys were undertaken in August 2014 and 2015.
The field surveys covered the districts Fedis, Grawa, Haramaya, Jarso, Kersa,
Kombolcha and Meta of eastern Ethiopia. The 2014 result revealed that the pest was
confined only in Haramaya district. A similar survey conducted in August 2015
revealed the geographic expansion of the pest to other areas of eastern Ethiopia, viz.,
Dire Dawa Administration, Kersa, Kombolcha and Fedis districts. The spider mite,
which is commonly known as red spider mite, was identified as Tetranychus utricae
Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). This is the first record of the pest infesting potato
(Solanum tuberosum L.) in Ethiopia. In addition to potato, the pest infested tomato,
cucumber and other Solanaceous weeds growing within and around potato fields. It
was observed that the pest causes quantitative crop damage by sucking the plant fluids.
The pest develops very rapidly on potato plants causing quick leaf-fall and death of the
infested plants. Farmers were unable to manage the pest with the conventional
agricultural pesticides available on the local markets. This preliminary field survey
warrants that the red spider mite would be a threat to potato production in Ethiopia
unless apt research efforts are made and management strategies are developed to fight
against this devastating pest.

Keywords: Eastern Ethiopia, infestation, potato, red spider mite, Tetranychus utricae

Introduction and Meta are the major potato producing

districts (Bezabih & Hadera 2007). The
area under potato production in East
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an
Hararghe Zone was 2,207.12 hectares
important crop in Ethiopia. The area under
with an average yield of 19.3 tons per
potato production in the country was
hectare (CSA 2014).
about 66,745 hectares with an average
national yield of 11.7 tons per hectare
However, the production of the crop is
(CSA 2014). The eastern highlands of
constrained by several biotic and abiotic
Ethiopia, mainly Fedis, Grawa, Haramaya, factors. Among the abiotic factors are
Jarso, Kersa, Kombolcha, Kurfa Chelle
Pest Mgt. J. Eth. 19: 53–59 (2016)
 Muluken et al.
unfavorable climatic conditions and soil
physico-chemical properties; and biotic
factors limiting the crop productivity are
low yielding potato cultivars, insect pests,
and plant diseases. The major insect pests
of potato include- cutworms (Agrotis and
Exigua spp.), red ants (Dorylus sp.),
potato epilachna (Epilachna hirta),
metallic leaf beetle (Lagria vilosa), potato
aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae), green
peach aphid (Myzus persicae) and the
potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea
operculella) (Bayeh & Tadesse 1992;
Ferdu et al. 2009). Among these insect
pests, the potato tuber moth gained more
attention than all the other potato insect
pests (Ferdu et al. 2009).
In August 2014, however, farmers from
Finkile, Tinike and Tuji-Gebissa areas of
Haramaya district, eastern Ethiopia,
reported heavy infestation of their potato
crop by unidentified pest. Also, the pest
heavily infested larger areas of potato
fields in the district. Following this
incident, agricultural entomologists and
plant pathologists from Haramaya
University visited the infested potato
farms and performed diagnosis of the pest
and its pest status or situation under field
and laboratory conditions. Damaged
leaves were visually examined and the
pest was identified as red spider mite
[Tetranychus utricae Koch (Acari:
Tetranychidae)]. It is also known as two-
spotted spider mite (TSSM).
The TSSM is a ubiquitous species, present
worldwide on a wide variety of plants
(Helle & Sabelis 1985). This pest has
more than 1200 species of host plants of
which more than 150 are economically
important (Zhang 2003). TSSM prefers
feeding on the underneath of the leaves
(Reddall et al. 2004). Spider mites use
stylets to pierce plant cells and digest the
54
cellular contents (Riley 1989). The
chloroplast within the cells is removed
and continued feeding causes a stippled–
bleached effect and later, the leaves turn
yellow, grey or bronze (Riley 1989).
Large population of the spider mite can
destroy whole plants, resulting in
complete yield loss (Stavrinides &
Hadjistylli 2009).
The researchers felt that the pest might be
infesting other potato-producing districts
in eastern Ethiopia and considered that
such information might help to alert
farmers about potato production and the
economic consequences that may accrue
from the infestation if timely measures are
not taken. Taking the economic
importance of the pest into consideration,
an exhaustive field survey was carried out
with the specific objective to determine
the occurrence, geographical distribution
and host plant ranges of the pest in the
major potato growing districts of eastern
Ethiopia.
Materials and Methods
Field surveys and collection
of specimens
Field surveys in major potato-growing
districts of eastern Ethiopia were
conducted in August 2014 and 2015 (Fig.
1). In each district, five to six potato
growing farmers associations with highest
potato production statistics and that were
proximal to the road were purposely
selected for the surveys. Geographical
coordinates of the surveyed locations were
also recorded using GPS. Coordinates
were then mapped using ArcView
software to determine the geographical
distribution of red spider mites in eastern
Ethiopia. During the surveys, potato
 Red Spider Mite Threatening Potato Production
plants were examined visually as well as
aided with magnifying glasses at different
growth stages of the crop.
The incidence of the red spider mite was
carefully examined by randomly taking
ten plants from each field using a 10X
hand lens for the presence or absence of
mites. Pictures of spider mite infested
potato plants and damaged fields were
taken with digital camera. Plants found
within and nearby infested potato fields
were also inspected for possible
infestation by red spider mites. Whenever
found infested, names of such plants were
recorded. In the areas where red spider
mites were observed, informal discussions
were held with farmers and development
Figure 1. Map of eastern Ethiopia showing districts in field surveys for tracking red spider mite
55
agents on the probable sources of
infestation.
Samples of adult red spider mites were
collected and placed in plastic vials half
filled with 70% ethyl alcohol. About 50-
80 red spider mites were collected in a
vial and were sent to the International
Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology
(ICIPE), in Nairobi, Kenya, for
authoritative identification. Geographical
coordinates of the surveyed locations were
also recorded using GPS. Coordinates
were then mapped using ArcView
software to determine the geographical
distribution of red spider mites in eastern
Ethiopia.
 Muluken et al. 56

Results and Discussion the damage incurred by the pest. Hot and
dry conditions influence the density of
mites. Similar results were obtained by
Species identification Chinniah et al. (2007) and Rampal et al.
The identification results of mite samples (2013).
were received in June 2015. It was
identified at the international center of Farmers coined the pest name as ‘ebola’
insect physiology and ecology to the red spider mite problem owing to
Biosystematic Unit, Nairobi, Kenya. All the devastating nature of the pest to
samples were identified as red spider mite potatoes. Farmers were unable to manage
[Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: the pest with the conventional insecticides
Tetranychidae)]. To the best of our available on the local markets. Also, T.
knowledge this is the first record of T. urticae is known for its ability to develop
urticae infesting potato in Ethiopia. rapid resistance to pesticides and, among
arthropods, it has the highest incidence of
Field surveys pesticide resistance (Van Leeuwen et al.
In the 2014 survey, the distribution of the 2010). The short generation cycle, high
mite pest was confined to Haramaya fecundity and haplo-diploid sex
district only but expanded to other determination facilitates rapid
districts in 2015 (Table 1). The pest development of resistance to pesticides
heavily infested a number of potato fields (Grbic et al. 2011).
in the district. A large mass of red spider
mites were visible on the foliage forming
Table 1. Incidence of red spider mite (T. urticae) on
webs on the leaves and stems of potato. It
potato in eastern Ethiopia during 2014 and
is known that spider webs help establish a 2015 main cropping season
suitable micro-habitat for the pest, protect
against abiotic agents, shelter from Incidence
predators, communicate via pheromones District August 2014 August 2015
and provides a vehicle for dispersion Bedessa Absent Absent
(Clotuche et al. 2011; Le Goff et al. Chinaksen Absent Absent
2010). Potato fields surveyed in other Chiro Absent Absent
districts were, however, free from red Deder Absent Absent
Dire Dawa* Absent Present
spider mite infestation. Similar surveys Grawa Absent Absent
conducted in August 2015 showed an Fedis Absent Present
expansion of the mite pest to other Habro Absent Absent
districts of eastern Ethiopia, viz., Dire Haramaya Present Present
Jarso Absent Absent
Dawa Administration, Kersa, Kombolcha
Kersa Absent Present
and Fedis districts (Table 1). In all the Kombolcha Absent Present
surveyed fields around 80% of the foliage Kurfa Chelle Absent Absent
was infested by the spider mite. In the Mesela Absent Absent
majority of the farmers’ fields surveyed, Meta Absent Absent
leaves and whole potato plants were killed
*Only research site was visited
or dried. The prevailing hot and dry
conditions that happened in the main
season of 2015 in the region aggravated
 Red Spider Mite Threatening Potato Production 57

Damage symptoms due to red swarm of mites is visible to the naked eye
spider mite on potato crop (Fig. 3A). Attacked leaves gradually
turned to grayish-white, sometimes to
The red spider mite was found to feed on
light brown, resulting in complete drying
the underside of potato leaves. The red
of the leaves and ultimately leading to the
spider mite feeding on potato was
death of the whole plant (Fig. 2B, 3C and
recognized by the white and silvery spots
3D). The pest was transmitted to
on the leaves as a result of the sucking of
neighboring uninfested plants by the webs
the plant fluids and removal of the
created by the mites, connecting leaves of
chlorophyll and other plant pigments (Fig.
adjacent plants. When observed, both
2A). During heavy infestations, the mites
adults and nymphs were reddish-orange.
produced spider webs all over the apexes
of the plant (Fig. 3B). At this stage heavy

Figure 2. Initial (A) and advanced (B) damage symptoms of red spider mite (T. urticae) on potato

Figure 3. Potato plant infested by red spider mite (T. urticae). (A) a swarm of mites on potato leaf tip; (B) leaves covered
by spider web-like structures, (C) a farmer showing TSSM damaged potato and (D) damaged potato plant
 Muluken et al.
Alternate host plants of red
spider mite
The red spider mite infested field
horticultural crops, like tomato and
cucumber, beside potato. The pest was
also found inhabiting khat (Chata edulis)
and maize, thereby indicating that it
would be a threat to other cultivated crops
in the near future. During the survey the
pest was also observed while infesting
other Solanaceous weeds like Datura
stramonium and Solanum elaeagnifolium.
The plant species Melia azediarach,
known for its insecticidal properties
(Carpinella 2002), was also found heavily
infested by the red spider mite.
Tetranychus urticae is a major pest of rose
flowers in commercial farms (Belder et al.
2009). In fact, T. urticae was earlier
reported on pigeon pea (Tsedeke 1987)
and tomato (Gashawbeza et al. 2009) in
the country.
Potato is a cash crop for farmers of eastern
Ethiopia as there is a potential regional
domestic and export market to Djibouti
and Somalia (Bezabih & Hadera 2007).
The major potato-producing districts in
eastern Ethiopia were infested with red
spider mite, primarily being reported from
Haramaya district. The pest mite is,
therefore, a potential serious threat to
potato production in this part of the
country. Currently, red spider mite is
restricted to eastern Hararghe but could
expand its geographical range to other
parts of Ethiopia if timely measures are
not taken to curb the rapid expansion.
Agricultural extension experts,
development agents and farmers need to
be alerted and trained on the identity and
damage symptoms so that they can detect
the infestation by the red spider mite pest
as early as possible. Novel and integrated
58
pest management (IPM) compatible
acaricides need to be identified or
screened for use as integral components of
the pest management options.
Recommended miticides need to be
applied in rotation as part of an IPM
scheme to avoid the development of
resistance. Moreover, emphasis on the
sustainable management of the pest and
research attention should be given to the
required level through integration of all
available options for effective
management of the pest population,
including use of biocontrol agents and
cultural management like crop hygiene.
Acknowledgement
We express our appreciation to Haramaya
University for providing the research
fund.
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