The red spider mites, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) (Acarina: Tetranychidae ) is one of the serious mite pest causing heavy infestation result in blotching and bronzing of leaves followed by premature leaf fall cause severe yield loss of 48.1 to 64.8 per cent in tapioca. Outbreak and heavy population of this mite was recorded during dry summer periods in Salem and Namakkal districts of Tamil Nadu. The mite population build up was low in Sree Athulya planted plots (4.5 mites /cm2 leaf area) and higher in Mulluivadi planted plots 28.6 mites /cm2 leaf area. Sree Athulya variety prevented the buildup of mite population as compared to local cultivar Mulluvadi. The yield in the Sree Athulya planted plots was ranging from 37.2 to 34.0 ton/ ha compared to 26.6 ton/ha in the farmers practice.
Red Spider Mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus, Varietal Influence, Acarina: Tetranychidae, Boisduval
