Evaluation of Eriophyid Mite Collection Methods and Environmental Parameters that Affect Populations of Phyllocoptes fructiphilus

Rose rosette disease (RRD) is an infectious and lethal disease of roses, caused by Rose rosette virus(RRV). The eriophyid mite Phyllocoptes fructiphilus transmits the virus through feeding on healthy tissue after feeding on infected tissue. Infected plants must be destroyed, as there is currently no cure. An outbreak of RRV can cost a grower millions in lost product. Rose rosette disease has been reported in 39 states within the U.S., and is a major threat to the country’s billion dollar rose industry. Prevention is key to an effective RRV management program. Tracking the emergence, rise, and decline of P. fructiphilus populations will give a more accurate timeframe for miticide applications to be most effective. Four counties within Tennessee were surveyed for populations of P. fructiphilus by collecting symptomatic rose tissue, which harbors the mite. P. fructiphilus travels from infected to healthy plants by “ballooning” on air currents. Mites were present July through November; densities were significantly greater on Knock Out roses than on multiflora roses. Three eriophyid mite collection methods were evaluated to sample aerial dispersing mites. Pan and bottle traps were effective in collecting mites; samples on sticky traps were not identifiable. Color of water pan traps did not significantly impact mite densities. Environmental factors can influence eriophyid mite behaviors such as ballooning and can thus affect population densities. Mite populations were surveyed through tissue sampling roses. Temperature, humidity, and precipitation, negatively impacted mite densities, while densities were positively influenced by solar radiation. These results will better inform management of RRD and RRV on roses.