Publication Date
1989
Description
Redlegged earthmite (Halotydeus destructor) (RLEM) is a
serious pest of legume-based annual pastures in southern Australia. Observations throughout Australia show that every year they cause both mortality and growth retardation in emerging pastures in autumn, and are also responsible for reduced seed set in annual legumes in spring (Allen 1986, Norris, 1948). The most common legumes in areas where RLEM occur, are annual Trifolium species, especially T. subterraneum (subclover). However, the recent development of M edicago polymorpha and M. murex for use on acid soils together with the wider use of Ornithopus compressus, has resulted in alternative hosts for these mites. In spite of the perceived importance of this pest little experimental work has been undertaken to quantify the damage these mites cause to annual pasture legumes since the work of Norris (1944, 1948) and Wallace (1963). This paper reports the results of experiments, both in the glasshouse and field, to quantify the effects of RLEM on the productivity of a number of legume species.
Citation
Gillspie, D J. and Nicholas, D A., "The Effect of Redlegged Earthmite (Halotydeus destructor) on Legume Productivity" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 23.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session6/23
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Effect of Redlegged Earthmite (Halotydeus destructor) on Legume Productivity
Redlegged earthmite (Halotydeus destructor) (RLEM) is a
serious pest of legume-based annual pastures in southern Australia. Observations throughout Australia show that every year they cause both mortality and growth retardation in emerging pastures in autumn, and are also responsible for reduced seed set in annual legumes in spring (Allen 1986, Norris, 1948). The most common legumes in areas where RLEM occur, are annual Trifolium species, especially T. subterraneum (subclover). However, the recent development of M edicago polymorpha and M. murex for use on acid soils together with the wider use of Ornithopus compressus, has resulted in alternative hosts for these mites. In spite of the perceived importance of this pest little experimental work has been undertaken to quantify the damage these mites cause to annual pasture legumes since the work of Norris (1944, 1948) and Wallace (1963). This paper reports the results of experiments, both in the glasshouse and field, to quantify the effects of RLEM on the productivity of a number of legume species.
