Monitoring the Population of Eriofizi Mites, the Species Calepitrimerus vitis and Colomerus vitis, in the Vineyards Specific Conditions of Central Transylvania

Abstract

Although they have microscopic dimensions, the mites species Calepitrimerus vitis (the pathological agent of the grape-vine acariosis) and Colomerus vitis (the pathological agent of the grape-vine erinosis), can be considered to this date a real threat to the vinegrowing plantations from Central Transylvania (Tomoioagă, 2006). If the level of mite populations is not properly controlled, a multi-annual attack, could reduce the yields by up to 40%, causing the weakening and complete disappearance of young vine stumps. Monitoring the eriophyid mites population is of great importance for organizing combative measures and for maintaining the level of mites below a dangerous density. Considering the fact that, the dynamics of the mite’s population is specific to each parcel, the research followed the fluctuation of the population in the period between the early hatching of the larvae (the phenostage of 2-3 leaflets) until the withdrawal of hibernating females in winter buds. The experiments concerning the monitoring of the mite population, associated with the typical symptoms of the acariosis and erinosis attacks, were conducted in the plantations of the Târnave vineyard, in the experimental polygon of SCDVV Blaj, on vine varieties specific for this area. This paper contains and interprets data collected between 2007-2009.