The influence of the lucerne bud mite (Eriophyes medicaginis Keifer) on the growth of annual and perennial Trifolium species

Abstract

Eriophyes medicaginis Keifer was found to cause significant reduction in the growth of seedlings of the annual Trifolium species T. incavnatum and T. subterraneum, but had no influence on the growth of the perennial species T. fragiferum, T. pratense and T. repens. The mite did not reproduce on either annual or perennial Trifolium species. Leaf symptoms on the annual species were similar to those caused by bean yellow mosaic virus on annual clovers. The symptoms on T. incavnatum did not become evident until 10-12 days after infestation, which was the time taken for undifferentiated leaves to fully develop. This indicates that the presumed salivary toxin of the mite is of short-lived activity in the plant or is not readily translocated beyond the leaf upon which feeding takes place, or both.