Oligonychus perseae Tuttle, Baker and Abbatiello, 1976

AugerK, Philippe, K, Denise Navia & MigeonK, Alain, 2023, Three new alien spider mites (Prostigmata, Tetranychidae) from south-eastern France, Acarologia 63 (3), pp. 826-833 : 828-829

Oligonychus perseae Tuttle, Baker and Abbatiello, 1976

Figures 1C–D , 2A , 3E–H

Native from Central America ( Tuttle et al., 1976), the Persea mite , Oligonychus perseae Tuttle, Baker and Abbatiello, 1976 is recorded from Nearctic, Neotropical and Palearctic regions. Considered as an invasive pest, this species was recorded for the first time in Europe in Portugal ( Ferreira et al., 2006 ; Naves et al., 2021), then in Spain ( Alcázar et al., 2005) and more recently in Italy (Sicily) ( Zappalà et al., 2015).

Records: 6 females, 2 males collected on Persea americana Mill. ( Lauraceae ), Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden, (43.7847°N 7.5113°E, alt. 45 m a.s.l.), Menton (Alpes-Maritimes), France 30-IX-2019, leg. Auger P., Migeon A.; 4 females, 1 male collected on P. americana, Route de Super Garavan (43.7901°N 7.5169°E, alt. 189 m a.s.l.), Menton (Alpes-Maritimes), France

24-VIII-2016, leg. Dr René d’Agro.

All the specimens of O. perseae were collected on avocado, P. americana , on the French

Côte d’Azur, at Menton, near the Italian border. The first sample came from the private garden of Dr René d’Agro who sent us a sample of mite from infested avocado leaves. He also sent some pictures of grapevine leaves, Vitis vinifera L. ( Vitaceae ), from his neighbor’s garden near his own, which were infested by a spider mite whose leaf symptoms were similar (silk nests on the underside of leaves, mainly located along the midrib and main veins) to those produced by

O. perseae ( Fig. 2A ). Although we did not observe under the microscope the mites responsible for these symptoms on grape (we did not have the opportunity to collect mite material because the owner wished to remain anonymous), we also believe that the mite responsible for this damage is O. perseae . However, this possible occurrence of O. perseae will be the third record of this species on grapevine. The first report was in Madeira Island and the second in Algarve,

Portugal mainland ( Ferreira et al. 2006, 2007). A second sample was collected in the botanical garden of Menton and other avocado trees showing symptoms of infestation by O. perseae were also observed [not collected: as the symptoms observed were typical of O. persae (see above), we did not consider it necessary to expand the number of samples] here and there in the city.

Distinctive characters ( Fig. 1C, D ): among the species whose male have an aedeagus which shape is O. ununguis -like, females of this species can be distinguished by: (1) their dorsal striae forming a reversed V-pattern between dorsal setae e 1, (2) setae c 1 and d 1 not reaching the base of the next row whereas the setae e 1 reach the base of the setae f 1, (3) the combination of their tarsal and tibial leg chaetotaxy (tarsus I with 4 setae and one solenidion proximal to proximal duplex setae, tarsus II with 2 setae proximal to duplex setae).

Note: new species for France.

Remarks: this species can represent a phytosanitary risk in France, taking into account (1)

the expansion of avocado crop (its main host plant) in the country (Côte d’Azur, Pyrénées-

Orientales and Corse) and (2) the pest status and yield losses reported in production areas in affected countries (e.g. Torres et al. 2023). Although there is no evidence indicating damage to other crops besides avocado, reports of the species on grapevine in Europe as well as observation of symptoms in localities close to the infested avocados (in this study) warn about the possible adaptation and impact that this species could cause in European vineyards under climate change scenarios. According to EFSA pest categorization (European Food Safety

Authority 2022), O. persea satisfies the criteria to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest and avoiding its spread is important.

Figures

Figure 1 A–B Aponychus corpuzae, female: A – dorsal view in habitus; B – ventral view of caudal part showing ventral position of setae f 2.; C–D Oligonychus perseae: C – female dorsal view in habitus; D – male aedeagus; scale bars A=100 µm, B=25 µm; C=100 µm, D=10 µm.

Figure 2 A – abaxial side of a vine leaf with nests of spider mite most likely produced byOligonychus perseae; B – Stigmaeopsis nanjingensis, female. Part of the dorsal hysterosoma showing the length of setaed1 and the relative distances between members of setaee1 and d1; scale bars A=5 cm, B=50 µm.

Figure 3 A–D Aponychus corpuzae: A – symptoms on bamboo leaves; B – female; C – female harbouring winter coloration; D – male. E–H Oligonychus perseae: E – symptoms under avocado leaves; F – nests along the vein, abaxial side of avocado leaf; G – details of a nest showing two females, a nymph and three eggs; H – female. I – LStigmaeopsis nanjingensis: symptoms under bamboo leaves with inhabited and abandoned nests, abaxial side of bamboo leaf; J – details of a nest showing faeces accumulated on the left side; K – female under the silk web of a nest; L – female, nymph and two eggs.