| Species: | Oligonychus coffeae | |
| Genera: | Oligonychus | |
| Family: | Tetranychidae | |
| Host Crops: | brinjal, tea, castor, jute, okra, coffee, indigo, citrus | |
| Nature of Damage: | The attacked leaves of brinjal show discoloration and curling of leaves. In few crops, infested leaves turn brown and dry up. On tea, infestation generally remains confined to the upper surface of old leaves. In severe cases younger leaves are attacked. Mites make webbing on leaf surface and feed under webs. Infested leaves turn brown and dry. Young plants when infested may get killed. Mite population remains high from March-June and again from September-October. | |
| Life Cycle: | In North India, on brinjal, it remains inactive till February, after which it copulates and lay eggs. A female lays 80-90 eggs in its lifetime, which hatch in 4-5 days. One life cycle is completed in 8-9 days. High multiplication rate is observed during April-June. On tea, female lays eggs singly on the surface of leaves along the midrib and veins. A female lays about 135 eggs. Eggs hatch in 4-6 days into larvae during April to August. There are two nymphal stages. Both larval and nymphal stage is completed in 6-8 days. Female survives for 29 days while male for 24 days. The mites are elliptical in shape with bright crimson colour on anterior side and dark purple colour on the interior side. | |