Distribution
Confirmed present in several Caribbean Islands including Martinique, St. Lucia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, St. Martin, Trinidad and Tobago and Puerto Rico. It also occurs in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Israel, Egypt, Iran, Sudan, and the Philippines.

Hosts
The red palm mite is a pest of several ornamental and fruit-producing palm species such as coconut and areca palms. In the Caribbean, it has also been found affecting bananas and plantains. Heliconia sp, bird of paradise and gingers have also been affected by this mite.

Figure 4 Red palm mite damage on coconut palm

Figure 5 Red palm mite damage on banana leaves.

The Red Palm Mite could be an economic threat to the coconut, banana and ornamental plants industries.
For more information contact
Juliet Goldsmith 983-2281/2267