Environmental Entomology (1989) 18, 256-260

Reed N. Royalty and Thomas M. Perring (1989)
Reduction in photosynthesis of tomato leaflets caused by tomato russet mite (Acari: Eriophyidae)
Environmental Entomology 18 (2), 256-260
Abstract: The reduction in net photosynthesis caused by tomato russet mite (TRM), Aculops lycopersici (Massee), feeding was measured. A significant relationship between net photosynthesis and mite-days per cm² of leaflet was observed. Photosynthesis of healthy tomato leaflets did not increase to compensate for photosynthesis reduction in damaged leaflets. Studies suggest that destruction of guard cells and subsequent reduction of leaf gas exchange were responsible for photosynthesis reduction, and that no photosynthesis-reducing phytotoxin is present in TRM saliva.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
damage/losses/economics

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aculops lycopersici	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)