Coconut mite facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coconut mite |
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| Diagram by Hartford H Keifer | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Aceria
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| Species: |
guerreronis
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The coconut mite, also known as Aceria guerreronis, is a tiny creature that causes big problems for coconut trees. It's a type of mite, which is like a super small spider. These mites love to live on coconut plantations. They can cause a lot of damage, sometimes destroying up to 60% of the coconuts grown! The mites attack young coconuts, feeding on the part covered by the "perianth" (the leafy bits at the base of the nut).
Contents
What is the Coconut Mite?
The coconut mite is incredibly small. It's about 220 micrometers (µm) long, which is less than a quarter of a millimeter. You definitely can't see it without a microscope! It's white and almost see-through. This mite is long and thin, and it has two pairs of legs.
Because they are so tiny, you usually don't notice the mites themselves. Instead, you see the damage they cause to the coconuts. If you suspect mites, you need a microscope to confirm they are there.
Where Do Coconut Mites Live?
Aceria guerreronis was first found in Mexico in 1965 by a scientist named Hartford H Keifer. We're not entirely sure if it originally came from older parts of the world (like Asia or Africa) or if it started in the Americas.
Coconut palms themselves first grew in the South Pacific. They then spread along the coasts of Asia and later Africa. Traders brought coconut palms to the Americas in the 1500s. It's still a mystery whether the mite traveled with the palms or arrived another way.
The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) is the main plant the mite attacks. However, it has also been found on a few other types of palms, like Borassus flabellifer and Syagrus romanzoffiana.
How Do Coconut Mites Grow and Spread?
Life Cycle of the Mite
Female mites lay their eggs on young coconut fruits. They usually do this about a month after the coconut flower has been pollinated. They choose a spot under the "perianth," which are like small leaf-like parts at the base of the fruit. At this stage, the perianth isn't pressed tightly against the fruit, so the mites can get underneath.
Once the eggs hatch, the tiny mite larvae start to feed. They push their mouthparts into the soft parts of the coconut and suck out the juices. The whole process, from egg to adult mite, takes only about ten days. This means that the number of mites can grow very, very quickly!
How Mites Travel
Mites are mostly spread by the wind. They are so light that the wind can easily carry them from one palm tree to another. Sometimes, they might also hitch a ride on other creatures. This is called "phoresy." For example, pollinating insects, small animals like rodents, or even birds might accidentally carry mites to new trees.
What Kind of Damage Do They Cause?
The coconut mite is the only mite in its family that causes serious harm to coconuts. Coconuts take about twelve months to grow and ripen.
The damage from the mites starts under the perianth. As the coconut grows bigger, more of its surface becomes visible, and you can see the harm. The nut starts to develop rough, brown, cracked patches on its skin. If the damage is only on one side, the coconut can even become twisted or oddly shaped.
More mites can attack the same coconut as it grows. However, the number of mites usually goes down as the coconut gets closer to being fully grown. By the time the coconut is ready to be picked, it usually doesn't have any mites left on it.
The damage caused by these tiny mites can be huge for coconut farmers. It's estimated that they can destroy up to 60% of the coconuts, which means a big loss for the farmers.
