First report of damage caused by yellow broad mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Acari: Tarsonemidae) from tea gardens in Guilan province

During 2018- 2019 in a research entitled the identification of arthropods associated with tea, some samples of leaves and branches of tea plant infected by broad mite (Tarsonemidae) were collected. Mites were separated from infected plant parts, cleared in Nesbit’s fluid and mounted on microscopic slides in Hoyer’s medium. Mites were identified by using valid references. Among collected mites, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks, 1904) was identified for the first time from Guilan province on tea plant. The symptoms of damage are diagnosed by deformity, curling, darkening and thickness of leaves and deformation of tip branches and buds. The damage of broad mite is so severe on tip branches and buds of tea plant. This is the first report of yellow broad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) on tea plant in Northern Iran tea gardens.