POSSIBLE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THE Calacarus carinatus (PROSTIGMATA: ERIOPHYIDAE) ON THE FIRST HARVESTING OF TEA IN EASTERN BLACK SEA AREA

Tea Camellia sinensis L. is a perennial crop onrush by many arthropod pests. The eriophyid purple tea mite, C. carinatus lead to damage to the fresh tea leaves and had a brownish discoloration and and affected flaovur of tea. It also major tea pest together with Acaphylla theae in Indıa. This study focused on the population situations and chlorophly content changes related to the C. carinatus infestations. Study conducted during one year and collect tea leaves 6 different tea plantation areas in eastern Black Sea area. Individual count and chlorophyll content was performed same day after collecting for avoiding chlorophyll content changing and specimens dying during the preservation period. Study results showed that the C. carinatus found every season but population start to increase early february to reached to peak level end of march. It also showed that the population start to desrease early april and finally remains at very low levels throughout the summer. During the high population density time chlorophyll content was adversely affected by the infestation levels. Density dependent measurements also verify this situation according to the seven density category chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll content of the 0, 0-5 individual category showed the statisticall significant differences than the other density category. This work may help future tea prodution plan and its quality by focusing pest management.