Rhizoglyphus echinopus: Isolation; Microscopìc exam; Molecular identification (sequencing).

Rhizoglyphus echinopus is a very cosmopolitan phytophagous mite Acaridae, Order Acari, Arachnida class family. His interest in plant pathology is due to the attack that causes any kind of bulbous plant and tubers, both horticultural crops and ornamental crops. Moreover, it affects wheat, oats, grapes and mushrooms. The main hosts are the bulbs of garlic and onion, potato tubers and sweet potatoes, and ornamental plants such as gladiolus, lilies, dahlia, orchids, iris, hyacinths, tulips ... and can be found both in the field and in greenhouses or stores where the bulbs are kept.

These mites are small (0.5 to 0.8 mm) of blaquecino oval body, glossy and reddish legs. Males die after mating, females live up to a month and can lay up to 100 eggs.

These mites are of interest because they can cause direct damage to plants and bulbs, but also because they can be fungal vectors (eg., Fusarium oxysporum), bacteria (eg., Pseudomonas spp.,) And viruses.

In stored products such as garlic they are located in protective covers (black garlic), among the rootlets and disk head garlic, forming colonies that develop craters and galleries, ranging widening to cause rot . Similar events occur in onions.

In crops infested when bulbs are planted, the plants take sickly, yellow and leaves deform and shrink. In potatoes attack the roots and stolons.

Microbiological tests recommended

  • Microscopic examination to identify according to their morphological characteristics.

Tests in IVAMI

  • Microscopic observation and identification.

Delivery term

  • 24 hours.

Type of sample

  • Bulbs of plants affected with injuries.

Sample preservation

  • Room temperature inside a plastic bottle tightly closed with some moisture to prevent drying (eg., Piece of paper dampened with water).

Cost of the test