Red mite threatens tea plantations in Tamil Nadu
Red mite threatens tea plantations in Tamil Nadu
The red spider mite (Panonychus ulmi) is threatening tea plantations in the Nilgiri hills. The infestation has been reported from a number of places including Coonoor, Kotagiri, Kundah and Udhagamandalam in Tamil Nadu, notes a statement issued by the Tea Board of India and the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tamil Nadu.
Tea planters fear the infestation could result in a huge crop loss within a few weeks of the pests' onset, and demand immediate remedial action. According to the studies by the Coimbatore-based upasi-Tea Research Foundation, the population of the mite remains high from January to May, reaching its peak in March-April, causing about 18 per cent crop loss.
In 2003, the mite infected most tea plantations in south India.