title: Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae): an exploding mite pest in the neotropics.
abstract: Major infestations of the flat mite species Raoiella indica Hirst affecting bananas, palms and other ornamental plants have been reported from the Caribbean islands, Mexico, FL (USA), Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil. Specimens from these localities were examined using traditional light microscopy and low-temperature scanning electron microscopy techniques. While little is known about the biology of this mite, its recent appearance in the Americas in both commercial coconut and banana plantations has raised concerns about its economic impact as an invasive pest.
authors.affiliation: National Identification Services, USDA-APHIS-PPQ-PSPI, Riverdale, MD 20737, USA.
authors.forename: Ethan C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ochoa
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mathurin
authors.forename: Eric F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Erbe
authors.forename: Jennifer J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Beard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D028023:Arecaceae / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D007843:Latin America; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites / Q000145:classification / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D028522:Musaceae / Q000469:parasitology*; D014329:Tropical Climate