T H E T E A Q U A R T E R L Y 
VOLUME XXVI . DECEMBER, 1 9 5 5 PART IV 
THE SCARLET MITES OF THE GENUS 
BREVIPALPUS AS PESTS OF TEA IN CEYLON 
B. A. Baptist & D. J . VV. Ranaweera 
All mites belong to the group Arachitoidca; which comprises spider-like animals 
with piercing and sucking mouth parts, which, when full grown possess 4 pairs of 
legs instead of the 3 pairs of true insects. Mites belonging to the genus Brevipalpus 
have Ixren popularly known as scarlet or orange mites on account of their distinctive, 
reddish colour. They are all plant-feeding species of minute size and fiat, oval form. 
Several species of these mites have been recorded as causing serious injury to the host 
plants which they attack and amongst die most serious is the damage caused to tea. 
The genus Brcvipalpiis is described by Baker ( 1 9 4 5 ) , who recognised its validity 
as a distinct genus and separated it from Tenmpalpus with which it had been held 
synonymous. He (Baker, 1 9 4 9 ) also described the entire range of about 4 7 species 
of this genus. 
Three species have been collected from lea in Ceylon, die most common being 
Brevipalpus atistralis Tucker, previously known as Tmmpdpus obovatus Donn. This 
species is also found on tea in India (Andrews and Tunstall, 1 9 4 5 ) , Malaya (Corbett, 
1 9 3 2 ) and Java (Dammcrman, 1 9 2 9 ) . In Java it is considered to he the most 
serious of the mite pests on tea. The other species which have been found on tea in 
Ceylon are B. pkoenids Gcijskcs, and B. tnornatus Banks (Loos, 1 9 5 4 ) . B. phoenicis has 
also heen found breeding nn Grevillea robiistn and Albizzia tnoluccana (Loos, 1 9 5 4 ) and 
occasionally in negligible numbers on other shade trees such as Gliricidia, dadap and 
Acada. Scarlet miles arc also known to occur on other trees and miscellaneous plants 
in Ceylon (Light, 1 9 2 6 ) but their specific identity has not been recorded. 
As a pest of tea in Ceylon, the scarlet mite was first recorded by Crcen in 1 8 9 0 , 
at which time it was not considered to be an important pest. Later he (Green, 1900) 
records it again, but this time as causing serious damage to tea plants, and states that 
in some instances hushes had been actually killed. Later, in 1 9 1 4 , Rutherford 
mentions it as a serious pest, recording outbreaks in the Matale, Badulla and Passara 
districts. Subsequent to this it appears to have receded very much into the back­
ground as a pest, though King ( 1 9 3 6 ) reports it as causing a certain amount of defoli­
ation. Last year, however, it w'as nqdeed again in serious proportions in the Maske-
liya,.Dickoya and Dimbula districts (Loos, 1 9 5 4 ) and these outbreaks, which have 
largely persisted since,, have also indude>i a i iaa"^ on shii-Ie trees such as Grcvillsa and 
"Albizzia as well. ' Previously the only recordof'seriotis-.attacfckOn shade trees was in 
1 9 4 4 by Gadd, when it w a s nhscrvedjo bc,eausing-serioiis damage to Albizzia in the 
Hatton district. 
Description and Bionomics .—EXTERNAL STRUCTURE.—Tl ie Bnvipalpus mites 
are all very minute in size, being only about . 3 mm long and have flat egg-shaped 
bodies (Fig. I). They are also characterised by having needle-like mouth parts (ch), 
2 pairs of lateral, lens-like eyes (cy), a distinct dorsal suture (ds) dividing the body 
into 2 parts, an anterior part called the propodoaoma (pr), carrying the mouth parts 
and the first two pairs of legs ( 1 L , l a ) , and a posterior part or hysterosoma (hy) carry- . 
ing the remaining two pairs of lees> ( l s "fhey have also a reticulate skin pattern 
and wrinkled legs with a pair of claws, pulvilius and tenent hairs. The palp (pp) 
on either side of the mouth parts is 4-scgmented, in which the large 2nd segment 
bears a single seta, the 3rd a pair of setae and the minute fourth segment 3 setae. 
Of die 3 common species met with in Ceylon B. australis is further distinguished 
by having the tarsi or terminal segments of the 2nd pair of legs provided with 2 
characteristic, rod-like, sensory setae (Fig. 2 rs), the dorsal aspect of the body provided 
witii 7 pairs of marginal hysterosomal setae (Fig. 1 hs 1-7) and the reticulate skin 
pattern (Fig. 1 rp) covering the entire dorsal aspect of the propodosoma. B. phaenieis 
is distinguished by having the tarsus of the 2nd pair of legs provided with 1 terminal 
rod-like seta, the hysterosoma with 6 pairs of marginal setae and the reticulations not 
meeting dorso-medianly on die propodosoma. Finally, the reticulate pattern on 
the venter of the hysterosoma does not extend to the posterior ventral hysterosomal 
setae. A third species B. inornalus Bank-?, is identical, to. i?. phoenicis except in the last 
feature mentioned, in which it has die reticulate pattern on the^ventral aspect of the 
hysterosoma extending anterior to the posterior ventral hysterosomal setae, a pair of 
well-developed setae situated about the middle of the ventral aspect of the hystero­
soma between the bases of the 4th pair of legs. In size they are all very much the 
same, measuring approximately .28 mm in lengtii including rostrum and .15 nun 
in width. 
L I F E CYCLE.—This has been worked out primarily with B. australis on tea, but 
observations on B. phomicis on tea indicate no important differences. Observations 
were carried out at St. Coombs, Talawakelle, which had average temperatures of 
approximately 74°F (day maximum) and 64°F (night minimum) during the period 
of observation. Mates are rare and copulation has not been observed. Females, 
whether fertilised or not, are capable of laying fertile eggs and commence egg-laying 
within 3-4 days of reaching the adult stage. Eggs are laid at the rate of about 1 a day 
over an average period of 7 weeks after which the females die. The maximum 
number of eggs laid by 1 female was 54 and die average 43. Mites transferred from 
Albizzia on to tea continue their life cycle uninterrupted but quiescent periods arc 
slightly longer. The longevity of the adult varies somewhat but does not exceed 9 
weeks under laboratory conditions. Eggs are almost elliptical .075 X .1 mm in 
size and bright scarlet in colour. They are stuck on singly to the under surface of 
the leaf and not easily dislodged. They take 13 days or nearly two weeks to hatch 
under laboratory conditions at St. Coombs. 
The larva which hatches from the egg is a 6 legged creature, also scarlet in 
colour, and attains a size of approximately .15 mm. After an average feeding 
period of 4 . 2 days, it reaches a quiescent stage, which occupies about 3 . 3 days, then 
moults to give rise to the protonymph, which resembles the adult in having 4 pairs of 
legs instead of 3, but is only .2 mm in size. This stage lasts 7-8 days, comprising an 
average feeding period of 4 .7 days and a quiescent period of 3 . 3 days, and then 
gives rise to the next stage, tlie/deutonymph, which ts .25 mm in size and occupies 
about 8 days, comprising an average active period of 4 . 5 days and an average quies­
cent period of 3 . 8 days. The deutonymph gives rise to the adult and the total life-
cycle from egg to adult occupies 36-37 days or about 5 weeks. 
The complete life history was not worked out on host plants other than tea but 
observations carried out over short periods on Grevillea and Albizzia show no appreci­
able differences in the duration of the various stages. 
Previous workers in Ceylon (Green, 1900; King, 1939) have described the life 
history of the scarlet mite as occupying approximately 4-5 weeks. Maglitz and 
Cory (1953), working with Brevipalpus australis on orchids in Maryland, describe the 
life cycle from egg to adult as occupying 26 days. McGregor (1916), working with 
Brevipalpus itiornatus on privet in South Carolina, found the life-cycle of this species to 
occupy 3 weeks in the summer, while Morishita (1954), working on the same species 
on the garden violet in California at a temperature of 68 C F, describes the maximum 
period from egg to adult as occupying 33 days. 
128 


F E E D I N G HABITS A N D P L A N T REACTIONS.—AH stages of the mite are found on tne 
undersides of the leaves. They feed by piercing and sucking the plant tissue with 
their stylet-like mouth parts, the undersides of die mature leaves along the petiole 
and midrib being the main sites of attack. 
As a result of the injury indicted by the feeding of the mites a reddish discolour­
ation occurs on the parts attacked, chiefly at the base of the leaf and along the 
midrib. Intensive, prolonged attack leads to a general darkening of the lower 
foliage with a scorched appearance in the basal part of the leaf and a general reduction 
in size of newer foliage added. There is no twisting or distortion of the foliage as is 
common with yellow mite damage. As the attack progresses the mature foliage 
drops off and, with the invasion of the younger leaves and shoots by the mite, almost 
complete defoliation may take place. Figures 3 to 5 show photographs of bushes in 
^different stages of'scarlet mile .attack* . ... - ' - - - - -
With the partial defoliation of the bush, the rate of production of flush becomes 
greatly reduced and, if such bushes are allowed to continue in plucking until the 
stage of acute defoliation is reached, subsequent recovery becomes problematical 
and the bushes often fail lu survive the pruning which follows later. Both Green 
(1900) and Light (192S) have also recorded very serious defoliation of bushes by the 
mite resulting in some cases in die death of die bush. Sloan (1946) describes a 
comparable damage to passion-fruit vines by a Brevipalpus species. 
M U L T I PLICATION A N D DISTRIBUTION.—As compared with the more familiar 
yellow mite and red spider mite, the rate of population increase is relatively slow and 
this has an important effect on the manner of spread. Under normal conditions 
scarlet mite populations take about 3 years from pruning lo build up to economic 
proportions, but much depends on the initial numbers left after light pruning as well 
as subsequent possible reinfestation from infested, defoliating shade trees. The 
intrinsic vigour of the bushes, general conditions of growth and die nature of the 
rainfall also have an important influence on the mite population. If factors are 
specially favourable, attacks of serious intensity may develop even within 6 month? 
from a condition of apparent freedom from infestation. 
The study of specific infestations from time lo time lias shown that one of the 
most potent factors contributing to the development of infestations is a regular 
succession of dry-weather or relatively light rainfall periods, the importance of which 
become accentuated or augmented by the prevalence of unlopped shade, and die 
adoption of exceptionally tight pruning. 
Overhard plucking may also seriously reduce the ability of individual bushes 
to withstand the attack of the mite. N o direct relation has been found between 
copper spraying for blister blight control and the prevalence of scarlet mite. 
A study of the distribution of the mite shews that it has a particular partiality 
lor bushes on the sides of roads and footpaths. This suggests that the greater varia­
tion In temperature? which would normally.prevail in such habitai.nicliss has a 
.definite stimulating effect on-development.-"' This is. also.supported jay die fact, thai 
die period of most intensive development has been found .to be from January to 
March when the degree of variation between day and night temperatures are die 
greatest. The comparative slow rate of spread and relative isolation of attacked 
bushes is most probably due lo individual bush resistance, either physiological or 
genetic or both. 
Control.—-The control of any pest is normally considered from two main 
aspects, preventive and curative. The former is closely associated with cultural and 
environmental factors and is of significance in that it is useful in preventing outbreaks 
from occurring in the first instance, while also providing unfavourable conditions for 
129 
ihe development of casual or incipient occurrences of the pest in question. The 
curative aspect comprises chiefly the application of chemicals toxic to the pest, known 
in the case of mite control as acaricides, which becomes necessary in the case of out­
breaks already well established when first noticed, in order to wipe out die pest 
without delay by direct action. 
PRUNING.—The normal pruning of tea is a very important mechanical means of 
reducing existing populations to unimportant levels of infestation., but under condi­
tions of serious infestation it cannot by itself serve as an effective control of die pest. 
In this connexion clean pruning may have some advantage over light pruning, but 
diis may not he advisable on account of the exhaustion the bush may have already 
suffered on account of the attack of the mite during the period immediately prior to 
pruning. There is also the possibility of rein fes tat ion from Grevillea and Albizzia 
shade y/Jii^ czithg qui'e appreciate, in severely infested areas, Ir the. pvvning> 
infested areas it is, therefore, desirable that, though lungs or low branches should he 
left as is normally done, special action be taken in connexion with them so as to 
prevent them from being a source of infestation. This can be dune effectively by the 
actual removal of such branches as soon as sufficient early foliage is formed, 
the removal being followed by an acaricidal application. 
R E S T I N G . - — Closely associated with pruning is the resting of the tea, which, 
though not strictly a preventive measure, is a very important preliminary in enabling 
the bushes to recover from the attack already suffered, while other control measures 
are in progress. Above all it enables the bushes to recover sufficient vigour to stand 
the. normal pruning operation. If the attack has not proceeded very tar, resting m 
itself can evenLually enable the bush to carry the attack up to pruning witiiout further 
defoliation or serious setback, hut of course at the expense of the crop since no leaf 
will be removed by plucking for such a period. 
M A N A G E M E N T OF .SHADE.—This is a very important factor in scarlet mite control 
owing to the possibility of shade trees carrying infestations of mites and by the regular 
shedding of leaves thus continuously reinfesting tea. The significance of this is 
greatest in the case of shade which is not normally lopped and defoliates continuously 
rather than seasonally. The periodic lopping of shade is an important method of 
reducing mite populations on die shade trues and should be adopted as a standard 
practice in chronically infested areas. Moreover, in infested areas a special lopping, 
amounting more or less to a pollarding of the shade, should be done, and so 
synchronised with the pruning of the tea that it is effected pricr to pruning and with­
in as short a period of pruning as deemed practicable under the particular conditions 
of the tea in question. In any case pollarding of shade must be done in the parti­
cular case of severely infested shade trees as soon as the attack is evident and such 
loppings should be burnt in situ. 
RAIN.—Another factor wliich appreciably reduces mite populations is very 
heavy and continuous downpours of rain. This applies particularly to recently 
pruned tea in which the frame of the bush is more or less exposed to the direct action 
of the rain. On the'Other hand, owing to the relatively protected position of thc; 
mites un the under surfaces of the leaves, comparatively normal and well distributed 
ratn has- no detrimental effect 6n scarlet mite populations, and in faefforcing weather ** 
as such quickly brings the attack to a head. 
Trials with acaricides-—The acaricides utilized in these trials were sulphur, 
chlorobenzilate and karathane. 
SULPHUR.—This is available for application in three forms, namely a waler-
dispersible powder, a liquid lime-sulphur preparation and a dusting powder. Preli­
minary tests indicated that I lb, of dispersible sulphur per 25 gallons water and 
1 gallon lime sulphur to 4 0 gallons water were the most satisfactory spray concen­
trations and these were therefore used hi ail the trials. In dusting it wa3 found that 
130 
25-30 ib. of dust were required per acre. Sulphur Has no mammalian toxicity at 
the strengths used. Tests carried out earlier have shown that it has a strong tainting 
property, which may be retained on foliage up to periods of 3 weeks after application, 
necessitating the discarding of the pluck for this period. 
C i i l o r o b k n v j l a t e . — T h i s is an organic acaricide being 4 , 4-dichIorobenzylic 
acid ethyl ester. It is a specific acaricide and is available in a commercial form as 
'Akar 338' emulsifiahle concentrate, containing 25 per cent, chlorohen/.ilaie. It is 
also available as a 2 per cent. dust. Its mammalian toxicity in concentrations 
necessary for mite control is negligible and, in tests specifically carried out to ascertain 
tainting potentiality, it was found that tea leaf collected 1 week after application 
shewed no taint. Preliminary tesLs with various concentrations indicated a 1 in 
1.000 concentration, or a .025 strength, to he the most satisfactory although a fairly 
"good mortality was obtained with a .0125 per c:v.t. concentration or a 1 in 2,000 
strength.' It is 'also available as a 2 per'cent, dusting" powder, and about" 25-30 lbs." 
are required to u-eat one acre. 
K A R A T H A N E . — T h i s is also an organic acaricide chemically known as dinitro 
capryl phenyl crotouate. It is a specific acaricide and fungicide and is available in 
a commercial form as 'Karathane W. D.', wettable powder containing 25 per cent, of 
active ingredients. It is also available as a dusting powder. Its mammalian toxi­
city is negligible and it resembles chlorobenzilate in its uontainting properties, leaf 
tested I week after application shewing no taint in die manufactured product. 
P r o c e d u r e . — I n the application of the acaricides, normal spraying machines as 
employed for blister blight control, but fitted with high-volume jet, angle-bend 
noz/.les, were used. Each bush was sprayed individually and application directed 
from below so that the undersides of the foliage received a good application of spray. 
The applications were repeated at weekly intervals. 
The major estimations of mile populations in these trials were done by counting 
of all stages of mites on a prescribed area. This was the area lying within an arc 1 cm 
from the base of the petiole of leaves from selected bushes conforming to a specific 
degree of attack. In each trial except the first, 3 such bushes are marked and 2 or 
3 leaves taken from each hush, the leaves being chosen at random but being always 
the 2nd leaf below the fish leaf. 
R e c o r d s a n d r e s u l t s . — T h e population records in the case of the comparative 
trials are given in the tables following. 
Tabic 1 . Trial No. I . Sulphur and chlorabenz'daie (Akar) in spray and dust farm. 
T i m e 
»( 
estimation 
Mite populations founc 
Sulphur spray Altar spray Sulphur dun Akar dust Control 
Number 
present 
Percen­
tage • 
Number 
p r r sc iH " 
Percen-
-
Number 
present 
Praxen- Number 
present 
Percen­
tage 
Number 
present 
Percen­
tage 
Before application 453 100% • 513 100% ' '' 4H1 ' 100% 
V 
574 100% 491 100% 
2 days after 
1st application 239 53% 259 5 0 % 340 - 7 4 % 382 « 7 % 579 U 8 % 
I day after 
2nd application 164 3 2 % 229 50% 225 3 9 % 715 
. »4A% 
2 days after 
3rd application • 6H 15.% 103 20% 157 3 4 % 216 3 8 % 736 1.50% 
In the 1st trial, the effect of sulphur is compared with chlorobenzilate (Akar), 
the two acaricides being" used both in the form of an aqueous spray as well as in the 
form of a dispersiblc dust. For the sulphur spray, 'Spcrsul' was used at the rate of 
1 lb. in 25 gallons, and for the chlorobenzilate spray, Akar at 1 in 1,000 dilution. 
The dusts were applied in'both cases at the rate of about 40 lb. per acre. The two 
acaricides appeared to be more or less equally effective, but the spray treatment in 
each case appeared to be more effective than the dust. Only 3 applications were 
given and this appears to be not quite sufficient for satisfactory control. 
Table 2. Trial No. 2. Lime-sulphur and dispersible sulphur sprays. 
Time 
o f 
estimation 
Before application 
6 days after 
1st application 
(} days after 
2nd application 
6 days after ' 
3rd application 
Mi te populations found 
Ltmc suiph&r 
Number 
p r e s e n t 
209 
28 
7 
3 
Percen­
tage 
100% 
™% 
1 % 
ul$licmblti sulphur 
Number 
p r e s e n t 
239 
18 
11 
ti 
Per c a l ­
lage 
100% 
u w 
" /a 
s o / 
*> fO 
3 % 
Control 
Number 
present 
191 
248 
2SS 
216 
Percen­
tage 
100% 
130% 
1 5 1 % 
113% 
In the 2nd trial, a comparison is made between lime-sulphur and dispersible 
sulphur. For the former, 'Fernasul* was used at a dilution of 1 in 40 and for die latter, 
'Thiovit' at the rate of 1 lb. in 25 gallons water. The figures represent in each case 
the numbers found on the basal segments of 9 leaves taken from 3 bushes. There 
appears to be little to choose between the effectiveness of die 2 sprays, and 3 appli­
cations gave good control. 
Table 3. Trial No. 3. Chlorobenzilate (Akar) in light and heaoy spray. 
Time 
or 
estimation 
Light B p r a y Heavy spray Control 
Number 
present 
Percen­
tage 
Number 
present 
Percen­
tage 
Number 
present 
Percen­
tage 
Before application 257 100% 1(35 100% 210 100% 
5 days after 1st application 
6 „ „ 2nd „ - _- . 
„ „ 3rd „ 
6 „ „ 4 U I 
191 
160 
'106 
y5 
• 74% 
^ 4 1 % 
37% 
73 
2d 
6 " 
1 
--14% 
i s% 
4 % 
' % 
193 
224 
ISO 
201 . 
9 2 % .-
107% 
H6% 
" 9 5 % 
In die 3rd trial a comparison is. made between 2 different types of application 
using Akar. One application was a light spray applied from above as for blister 
blight control, but treating bushes individually. The other application was that of 
a heavy or thorough spraying of each bush both from above and from the sides. The 
records shew diat the light spraying while reducing the numbers somewhat is not 
sufficiently effective to give good control even after 4 applications. 
132 
Table 4 . Trial JVo. ./. Chlorobenzilate (Akar) spray in two concentrations. 
Mite populations found 
Time 
of Akar i in 1000 Akar 1 in 2000 Control 
estimation Number 
present 
Percen­
tage 
Number 
present 
Percen­
tage 
N>mtbcr 
presem 
Percen­
tage 
Imtuedlately before 
application 131 100% 104 100% 98 100% 
7 days after 
/ • 1st application 
7 n«yS after 
2nd application 2H 
\ 40% 
20% 
59 
7tl (57% 
.124, . 
147 
U6% 
5 clays after 
3rd application 10 *% 36 3 5 % 168 171% 
7 days after 
4th application 5% 32 3 1 % 150 153% 
In the 4th trial, 2 different dilutions of Akar 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 2,000 are 
compared, 4 applications ljeing given. The more dilute application of l in 2,000, 
while reducing the numbers appreciably when the population is high, appears to have 
comparatively little effect on the smaller populations and is insufficient for satis­
factory control if a limited number of applications are given. 
Table 5. Trial ,Af>. 5. Karathane and sulphur sprays. 
Time 
or 
estimation 
Mile populations found 
Kara bane Sulphur Control 
Number 
present 
Percen­
tage 
Number 
present 
Percen­
tage 
Number 
present 
Percen­
tage 
Immediately before 
application 77 100% 129 100% 95 ' 100% 
7 days after 
1st application 35 4 5 % 57 4 4 % 147 155% 
7 days after 
: 2nd application 19 2 4 % 32 2 5 % 151 , 159% 
^ d a y s . aftw 
3rd appUcatio"h 5 • 6 % - ' ' ' 10 -V2ST" 
7 days after 
4tli application I 1 % 2 2 % 119 125% 
In the 5th trial, Karathane VV. D. at a strength of 1 lb. in 100 gallons wafer is 
compared with dispersible sulphur (Spersul) at the rate of 1 lb. in 25 gallons. The 
results show that Karathane is quite as effective as sulphur in reducing the mite 
population, 4 applications being necessary to give good control. 
Table 6. Trial No. 6. Chlorubenzilale (Akar) and Karathane sprays. 
Time 
of 
estimation 
Akar 
1 in 1000 
Karat bam: 
I lb. in 25 gals. Control 
Number 
present 
i Cenxn- ' •Number 
present 
Percen­
tage 
XumlKr 
present 
Pet cen• 
Before application 333 
i 
j i«o% 356 100% 236 100% 
7 days after 
lit application i:« • 40% i M 
I 
u % 164 i » % 
7 d a w after 
2nd application 5u 
t i 
! 10 160 
7 days after 
3rd application 25 
i 
-4 113 4»% 
In the 6th trial Karathane at I lit. tit 25 gallons is compared with Akar a L a 1 in 
1,000 dilution. The former appears to show .some slight superiority over the latter, 
tiiough this is not significant in view of the great drop in population even of the 
control. 
In general it will be seen that although there is a very heavy reduction of mite 
population after the 1st application of acaricide, there is a very appreciable remnant 
population under field conditions until at least 2-3 more, applications are given. A 
light application from above, as is normally given for blister blight spraying, was 
found to be relatively ineffective in reducing the mile population on tea in plucking, 
but may be effective in clean-pruned lea t n the period immediately following prun­
ing. Dusting was generally less effective than spraying, even under very good 
conditions for the application of dust. 
Though all three acaricides are very effective in causing the mortality of active 
stages, resting stages and eggs are comparatively little affected. Karathane shews 
some superiority in this respect causing an appreciable mortality of the eggs. 
Contact action and residual activity in the field appears lo be about the same in 
all cases No residual effect in the field however, can be detected 1 week after 
application in the case of any of the acaricides. 
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s f o r a c a r i c i d n l con t ro l .—D O S A G E ; — T h e recommended 
strengths for curative application are :-— 
(1) Sulphur. 1 lb. of dispcrsihle sulphur in 25 gallons water or a 1 in 40 dilution 
of lime sulphur. 
(2) Qdorobenzilate (Akar). 1 in 1,000-2,000 dilution of Akar. 
(3) Karathane.-~. 1 lb. of Karathane W. i~J. in 100 gallons of water or at strungJi 
of .025 per cent active ingredient*. 
A P P L I C A T I O N : — I n the application of acaricides the rows of the bushes must be 
dealt with individually and the application directed so a s to hit primarily the under­
side of the mature foliage and not the superficial flush only as in blister blight control. 
This entails a heavy application of spray and requires more labour per unitarea than 
that used in the case of blister blight control. About 50 gallons per acre will be 
required for pruned tea while at least double this quantity will be required for fully 
grown tea. If dusts are used about 25 lb. of dusting powder will be required per 
acre. 
134 
Although the cost of application of sulphur is about half that of the other acari- • 
cities, it has the disadvantage of taint ing and cannot therefore be used on tea in 
normal plucking. Equipment used in apply ing sulphur should also be washed out 
before be ing used for blister blight control on tea in plucking. Nevertheless what - '• 
ever acaricide is used, the application should be g iven after the plucking round, and ; 
even with non-taint ing acaricides one week should elapse be tween the appl icat ion ' 
o f the acaricide and the following plucking. 
O w i n g to the relatively protected position o f the mites and the relative 
ineffectiveness of the acaricides to cause appreciable mortality of eggs a n d resting 
stages, it is necessary to repeat the appl icat ion about 4 times at weekly intervals to 
obtain effective control. 
Appl icat ion of acaricides is e a s j i - s t a n d most effective in the period following 
j * : , - * ....=- priming;-- . T h e e - R u m h « r - o f - ^ p p ! & : ^ the intensity ~ef ihe J 
' infestation but in any case two Wit die r applications will be necessary after the removal . * 
of low branches or lungs which should be done as soon as sufficient foliage has devc- : 
loped. If bushes had carried a severe infestation a t pruning t ime it is also desirable 
that they should be stripped of any old foliage before the final applications are g iven. ' 
I f very thorough appl icat ion has been g iven following removal of lungs, further : 
applicat ions can be dispensed with. As an extra measure of precaution, however , 
the special appl icat ions m a y be augmented by the addit ion of a few addit ional appli­
cations, which m a y be combined with the normal blister bl ight spraying b y adding 
the acaricide to the copper spray in m e proper proportions. O f the sulphur pre- ;
 (1 
paralions l ime sulphur a lone cannot be used in this way as it is not compat ib l e with J
 ( 
copper sprays. ;, -
J 
For tea in p lucking appl icat ion is more difficult but is carried out on the same ! { 
lines, except Uiat l ight applications such as those used for blister blight spraying are | : 
not recommended . Also, if selective plucking is to be done in the area concerned, I 
sulphur should be replaced b y a non-taint ing acaricide such as chlorohenzi late or : ! i 
Karathane . Affected bushes however should be rested for a b o ut 3 months . j ', 
T h e exact procedure for the routine appl icat ion o f control measures wi l l vary j 
with the condit ion oi" the tea and the intensity and distribution of the infestation. j 
Exact schedules of appl icat ion are therefore g iven with reference to specific condit ions 
for guidance in the a p p e n d i x a t the e n d of d i e article. *; 
DISCUSSION 
T h e scarlet mites as compared with the red spider mites have on ly been o f minor 
importance and, though recorded as occasional pests of certain e c o n o m i c crops, 
have received no very great attention with reference to ecology or control. In fact 
the present ravages o f the scarlet mite in Ceylon appear to be economica l ly the most 
significant recorded for this group of mites. Little is definitely known still o f the 
specific reasons'for the occasional build up of the mite hi certain situations or what 
influence-, if any, is exerted by. biological agencies, in controll ing the mi te .populat ion . . -
A significant feature is the long life cycle arid-the presence of a long, quiescent period - - t — - - - - - - - - -
during each stage of deve lopment . . 
In Ceylon up to quite recently the mite received scant at tent ion o w i n g to its 
relatively minor nature as a pest of any importance and apart from general aspects 
of life history and control little detail had been studied. T h e present work has been 
carried out as a prel iminary study to an intensive investigation of the bionomics and 
control of the mite with special reference to its significance in the cul t ivat ion of lea 
in Ceylon. T h e d a t a obtained opens out several avenues of investigation, the m o s t 
important of which are the study of the factors of resistance of the tea bush to mi te 
135 
development and multiplication, the specific evaluation of weather and climatic 
factors in the build-up of mite populations and the reactions of d»csc mites to new 
acaricides, (specially those which appear to produce very specific effects while being 
non-toxic to possible predatory and parasitic species of insects which may occur in 
the tea. The use of new systemic acaricides, particularly with reference to die 
control of mite on shade trees, also deserves some attention, while the effects of shorter 
and longer cycles and suitable management and rotation of shade are likely to repay 
further examination. 
It can, however, be claimed that in the present state of our knowledge it is 
possible to effect definite economic control of the pest without serious increase in the 
cost of production of the crop if the ravaging effects already produced by the undetec­
ted and uncontrolled activity of the pest are eliminated by immediate and intensive, 
curative action. ' If this is done serious outbreaks or attacks can be reasonably 
forestalled and prevented. 
REFERENCES 
Andrews, £ . A. and TunstaJJ A. C. (1915).—Motes o n t h e spraying of tea. 
Indian Tea Association, Calcutta, No. I. 
Baker, Ii. W. (1945)—Mites of the genus Tenuipalpus (Acarhta Trickadcnidae) 
Proc. Eat. Soc. Wash. 47 (2), pp. 33-38. 
Baker, E. VV. (1949)—The genus Brevipalpus (Acarina: Pseudoleplidae) American 
Midland Naturalist 42 (2), pp. 350-402. 
Corbett, G. H. (1932)—Ami. Rept. Dept. Agri. S.S. F.M.S. Gen Ser. 14, p. 51. 
Dammerman, D. W. (1929)—Agricultural Zoology of Malaya Archtpalage, 
p. 282. 
Gadd, C. H. (1944)—•T.R.I. Bull. 26, p. 41. 
Green, E. E. (1890) Insect pests of the tea plant. 
Green, E. E. (1900)—Tea mites and some suggested experimental work against 
them. Royal Botanic Gardens, Ceylon, Circular 17. 
King, C. B. R. (1936)—Tea mite pests. Tea Quarterly 9 (4), pp. 144-153. 
Light, S. S. (1926)—Newly recorded food plants of some pests of tea and green 
manures. Tea Quarterly I, pp. 77-99. -
Loos, C. A. (1954)—T.RJT. Bull. 36, p. 48. 
Manglitz, G. R. and Cory, E. N. (1953)—Biology and control of Brevipalpus 
australis. Jour. Econ. Ent. 46 (I), pp. i 16-119. ' 
McGregor, Ii. A. (1016)—The privet mite in the South. Jour. Econ. Enc. 9, 
pp. 556-560. 
Morishita, F. S. (1954)—Biology and control of Brevipalpus iuornalus (Hanks) 
Jour. Eco. Ent. 47 (3), pp. 449-456. 
Rutherford, A. (1914)—Tea and citrus mites—Tropical Agriculturist 42, 
pp. 225-229. 
Sloan, W . J . S. (1946)—Passion fruit mite. Queensland Agri. Journ. 63" (3), 
pp. 14,5-147. 
136 
APPENDIX 
Schedules of application of control measures. 
A. SEVERELY INFESTED AREAS IN 2ND OR 3RD YEAR OF CYCLE. 
1. Throw the entire field out of plucking temporarily. 
2. Lop all visibly affected (sickly looking) Albizzia and Grevillea shade and 
burn all toppings in situ. 
- - 3. Carry out 4 applications-of acaricides-at^weekiy-intervals giving' .special 
attention to severely attacked bushes. "If selective plucking is to be done, 
a non-tainting acaricide should be used. 
4. Continue to rest the field, or, if preferred, affected bushes only, for a further 
two months, using during this period a non-tainting acaricide if plucking is 
being carried out. This application may be combined with the blister 
blight spraying. 
B. SEVERELY INFESTED AREAS DUE FOR PRUNING WITHIN T H E Y E A R . 
1. Throw the field out of plucking partially or completely and rest for 2-3 
months prior to pruning. 
2. Carry out the general lopping of shade and pollarding of sickly-looking or 
affected shade within as short a period from, pruning as possible. 
3. Give 2 thorough applications of acaricide after pruning within 1 week's 
interval of each other and another 2 applications after removal of low 
branches or lungs, the latter being carried out as early as feasible without 
causing detriment to the tea. 
4. As an additional measure of control a non-tainting acaricide may be incor­
porated into the blister blight spray for the 1st 4 months after pruning. 
C. M I L D OR SMALL SCATTERED INFESTATIONS. 
1. Pollard affected shade trees and lop all other shade if suitable and approp­
riate for lopping. 
2. Mark out affected bushes by application of lime or other device and carry 
out at least 4 applications of a non-tainting acaricide given immediately 
after the plucking round. 
3. Rest all treated bushes'from for at least 3-4 months, but unaffected bushes, 
in the field may be normally pluckecPTf a non-tainting acaricide has been 
used. 
4. Use a non-tainting acaricide in the blister blight spray for 4 months. 
5. If tea is due for pruning carry out schedule of treatment under B. 
Note.—If sulphur is used, leal' must not be plucked for manufacture in the same 
field for at least 3 weeks after last application. If blister control equipment is used 
for application of sulphur spray in affected areas, such equipment should he 
thoroughly rinsed out before being used lor blister spraying in plucking areas. Other 
than lirne sulphur other acaricides are compatible with blister spray and may be 
used together if desired. 
137