Eriophyoid Mites Found on Healthy and Rose Rosette Diseased Roses in the United States1

AbstractPhyllocoptes fructiphilus (Keifer), known as the rose bud mite, is an eriophyoid mite that has been shown to be the vector of Rose rosette virus (RRV), an Emaravirus, and the causal agent of rose rosette disease (RRD). Studies were conducted of mites found on roses, using various microscopy techniques including wide field, phase contrast and differential interference contrast light microscopy, and table top and low temperature scanning electron microscopy. Surveys of roses from several states within the US indicate the presence of three species of eriophyid mites: Phyllocoptes fructiphilus, Eriophyes eremus (Druciarek & Lewandowski), and Callyntrotus schlechtendali (Nalepa). Phyllocoptes fructiphilus was found primarily under the petioles (stipules), inside the flower sepals appressed to the ovary/seeds, and on the surface of the leaves. It was collected on plants with or without symptoms of RRD and often hides amongst the dense simple and bulbous, glandular hairs or under the stipules/petioles. Eriophyes eremus was found under the stipules of roses and is now recorded for the first time in the Americas. Callyntrotus schlechtendali was found on the open surface of the older leaves. The latter two species were not observed to be associated with obvious plant injury. In addition, predatory mites were found associated with these mites which may be useful as biological control agents of the eriophyid mites.Index words: insect vectors, disease spread, predatory mites, virusesSpecies used: Rose bud mite [Phyllocoptes fructiphilus (Keifer)]; Roses (Rosa spp.)