Preferential distribution pattern of the yellow mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) on Chilli

Investigation on the spatial distribution of yellow mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) was studied at the Department of Entomology, GKVK, Bangalore during 2008-09. The mite population comprising of eggs as wells as active stages were more abundant on leaves in the top canopy (165.69/leaf) of the chilli plant compared to the leaves in the middle canopy (111.18/leaf). Terminal leaves in a shoot of top canopy harbored maximum number of eggs (28.25) as well as active stages (29.8) compared to the corresponding leaves in the shoot in middle and bottom canopy (with 16 & 14, 12.4 & 12.8 eggs and active stages, respectively).