Climate‐based seasonal dynamics of the invasive red palm mite Raoiella indica

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) is the most critical coconut and banana pest recently introduced in Brazil. Once the mite pests are introduced, it is essential to understand their dynamics in important crops under open-field climatic conditions to implement strategies for their management and determine the periods when species populations may increase in the field. Modelling tools have been used to determine the potential distribution of species and implications for the management of invasive species. Thus, our aim in this study was to determine the seasonal variation in R. indica and the influence of the monthly climate using CLIMEX modelling. We adjusted the CLIMEX model for R. indica based on distribution data, additional biological characteristics, and fluctuations in the R. indica population in a commercial coconut plantation. RESULTS: The model for the current climate shows a good match between the ecoclimatic index and the global distribution of R. indica. The model results demonstrate that most states of Brazil and several regions worldwide include areas with highly suitable climatic conditions for R. indica. We observed variations in the density of R. indica in commercial coconut crops, with the highest incidence occurring during the first months of the year. CONCLUSION: Our results showed different alterations in seasonal suitability for R. indica that may provide information for the implementation of methods for time management, such as strategies for sampling and control during periods with a high degree of suitability for R. indica.

Potential distribution of Amaranthus palmeri under current and future climatic conditions in Brasil and the world

“…Thus, the sensitivity of soil moisture and heat stress temperature threshold parameters to the potential distribution of A. palmeri were evident. Sensitivity analysis is a useful tool for researchers and farmers because it provides knowledge of the parameters that can influence the occurrence of a given species (Silva et al, 2020).…”

“…To project the potential distribution, mechanistic and semi-mechanistic models use biological information of the species, together with climatic variables and environmental stress tolerance, to define areas of climatic suitability and highlight the limiting factors for the potential distribution of the species (Kumar et al, 2014;Kearney and Porter, 2009). Knowledge of the location of a species can be used to predict tolerable climatic conditions (Silva et al, 2020). The CLIMEX software was used to elaborate on the A. palmeri model, which considers climatic conditions as the main limiting factor for species occurrence.…”