The first report of damage caused by apple rust mite Aculus schlechtendali in Iran

The apple rust mite is Aculus schelchtendali Nalepa (Acari: Eriophyidae). Fruit rust is one of the important factors that cause apple fruit to be unmarketable. Miracle variety is one of the apple varieties that entered the country in recent years and is being developed due to the export value of its cultivation. Examination of the infected fruits showed that the damage of this pest appeared in the form of rust in the flower cup and gradually covered the entire surface of the fruit in different degrees. In addition, the feeding of this mite on the underside of the leaves causes the leaves to turn brown in summer. In general, the severity of damage and fruit rust caused by the apple rust mite depends on the density of the mite population, the variety and the age of the plant. Due to the fact that this variety is being developed in some apple orchards in the country, it is necessary to be careful about the possibility of increasing the density of the apple rust mite population on this variety, because this mite, in addition to direct damage, also causes marketable fruit rust. This will reduce the export figure.