TECHNIQUE FOR PRESERVING FRESH LEAVES FOR THE STUDY OF MINUTE ARTHROPODS, WITH REFERENCE TO THE FALSE GRAPE MITE, BREVIPALPUS-CHILENSIS

A technique that allows handling of the false grape mite, Brevipalpus chilensis Baker, for studies on the possible use of gamma radiation as quarantine control of this microscopic mite, detected occasionally on table grapes and lemons imported from Chile into the USA, is describe d. Potato agar-filled glass vials with crossed cuts at the bottom and capped with parafilm, inserted on a potato agar matrix to prevent dehy dration, were used to hold individual leaves of Ligustrum japonicum L. , a primary hose of B. chilensis. This technique kept the leaves suita ble for the mites during at least 2 months, and in some cases for up t o 3 months, allowing easy handling and facilitating counts of B. chile nsis under appropriate magnification. This method could be adapted to other plant: materials and used to maintain and handle other minute ar thropods as well for extended periods of time without replacing the fe eding substrate.