LAUSR

Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) is recognized as a major global pest of coconut palm, Cocos nucifera L., and also impacts the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), other palm species including Elaeis guineensis Jacquin (Carrillo et al. 2014, Florida Entomol. 97: 256–261), banana trees (Musa paradisiaca L.), heliconia (Heliconiaceae spp.), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), and others (Carrillo et al. 2014). The mites damage plants by piercing leaf cells and subsequently sucking on the cellular contents, thus causing tissue chlorosis and eventually necrosis. Large populations on stressed or young plants can even cause plant death (Rodríguez et al. 2007, Rev. Protección Veg. 22: 142–153).