EFFECTS OF COLD-STORAGE ON THE FALSE GRAPE MITE, BREVIPALPUS-CHILENSIS BAKER

A study was conducted on the effects of 15 d storage at 0-2 degrees C (and 90 % RH) on Brevipalpus chilensis Baker, a species detected occas ionally on table grapes and lemons imported from Chile and listed unde r quarantine in the US. Control mites were kept the same period at 20- 25 degrees C, 14 h photophase, and 50-70 % RH. After cold storage, cum ulative egg hatch, mortality of juveniles and adults, their oviposture and egg viability were compared between treatments, through every-oth er-day counts during 15-19 more days at environmental conditions simil ar to those of an eventual period of fruit commercialization (20-25 de grees C and 50-70 % RH). Cold storage delayed and reduced hatching of 1-4-day-old eggs, with lesser effects on eggs older than 4 days, proba bly because of their more developed embryos. Juveniles were highly sus ceptible to cold storage, and adults showed a relatively lesser suscep tibility. Cold storage also reduced oviposition of adult B. chilensis mites.