The lychee erinose mite Aceria litchii (Keifer) (Acari: Eriophyidae)

Authors: REVYNTHI, ALEXANDRA - University Of Florida; CRANE, JONATHAN - University Of Florida; WASIELEWSKI, JEFF - University Of Florida; Kendra, Paul; CARRILLO, DANIEL - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS)
Publication Type: Government Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/19/2021
Publication Date: 2/7/2022
Citation: Revynthi, A. M., J. H. Crane, J. Wasielewski, P. E. Kendra, D. Carrillo. 2022. The lychee erinose mite Aceria litchii (Keifer) (Acari: Eriophyidae). UF/IFAS EDIS. Extension Publication ENY-2077.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-in1347-2021

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The lychee erinose mite (LEM), Aceria litchii (Keifer) (Acari: Eriophyidae), is one of the most important pests of lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn., Sapindaceae). This eriophyid mite pest has been reported in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, China and Taiwan, Hawaii and Australia. LEM was found in Brazil, where it has spread to all major lychee producing areas and has caused an estimated 70-80% yield reduction and a 20% increase in production costs. An 80% yield reduction has also been reported in India caused by LEM. In February 2018, LEM was found in Lee County, Florida, and since then it has spread to several counties in central and south Florida. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry (FDACS-DPI) subsequently established an eradication program and a quarantine in Lee County, prohibiting the movement of lychee fruit or plant parts (trees, leaves or stems) out of the county, and is currently implementing mitigation strategies in other Florida counties.