Population dynamics and infestation level of Tetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard, 1960 (Acari: Tetranychidae) over two tomato planting seasons in Burkina Faso

Abstract Tetranychus evansi is an invasive pest of Solanaceae in West Africa. It causes severe damage and economic losses in tomato production. This study, conducted in four sites (Loumbila, Ouagadougou, Pabré and Tanghin-Dassouri) in the central zone of Burkina Faso, assessed the density of T. evansi over two growing seasons and evaluated the infestation levels through the tomato growth cycle from planting up to harvest. Mite’s population was assessed weekly from March to May during the dry season and from August to October for the rainy season in Burkina Faso. We found a high density of T. evansi during the hot and dry periods corresponding to increase temperatures. The Loumbila, Pabré, and Tanghin-Dassouri sites show a similar density of the mite’s population and generally have an average of fewer than 20 individuals per leaf compared to the site in Ouagadougou with a density of more than 80 individuals per leaf. In contrast, during the rainy season, which is characterized by high humidity, densities of T. evansi were as low as 10 individuals per leaf. We also found that, when climatic and environmental conditions are favorable, all growth stages of the tomato are attacked by the pest. As producers face many difficulties to control T. evansi, there is an urgent need to implement an integrated pest management strategy against this pest.