Populations dynamics and hibernation shelters of Calepitrimerus vitis in the vineyards of Rioja, Spain, with a description of a new eriopyid extraction technique (Acari: Eriophyiidae).

Resumen

Calepitrimerus vitis is an important and common eriophyid mite in many vineyards of several different regions in Europe. Deutogynes of C. vitis in the vineyards of Rioja, Spain, emerge from their overwintering sites in spring. Protogynes start to appear in the second half of May, when the deutogynes disappear. The mite population increases during June and at the beginning of summer a rapid increase occurs. The maximum density of mites is reached in August or at the beginning of September, when the first deutogynes appear. The mite density rapidly declines in September and is very low in October. Data on the distribution of deutogynes in the winter are given. The central buds on the cane tend to shelter a large number of females. They are found at the cane base and in the first buds in a similar density. A new extraction technique for C. vitis is described, useful for practical purposes in an effort to standardize the sampling of eriophyid mites.