Injury of Tetranychus Ludeni (Acari: Tetranychidae) On Physalis Peruviana (Solanaceae) Crops In Diamantina,Brazil

Physalis peruviana (Solanaceae) is a plant of great nutritional and economic value that has being recently incorporated into the crop of small fruits in Brazil. Reports of pests attacking P. peruviana in Brazil are scarce. The objective was to report the attack and injuries of a phytophagous mite, potential pest of P. peruviana in the Southeast region of Brazil. The species was identified as Tetranychus ludeni (Acari: Tetranychidae). Injuries caused by T. ludeni mites produced chlorosis on P. peruviana older leaves and death of these, with an expressive leaves lost. These injuries cause a reduction of photosynthetic area and might affect vegetative growth and fruit production.