New Record of Mite <i>Schizotetranchus baltazari</i> Rimando on Neem Leaves

In this study, a series of samples of leaves of neem Azadirachta indica with uniformly distributed circular whitish spots (1-3 mm dia) caused by a spider mite was observed from the Khadambe budruk (BK), Digras and Rahuri village of Ahmednagar district and Detali village of Nashik District of Maharashtra, India. The collected mite species was identified as the nest webbing mite Schizotetranychus baltazari (Rimando) (Prostigmata: Tetranychidae) causing notable harm to the overall plant growth in the early stage of naturally grown neem plants in the field condition during the rainy season of 2023. It has emerged as a new pest of neem in Maharashtra.