Department of Integrative Biology

A new exotic mite species, Cenopalpus pulcher (Camestrini and Fanzago), the flat scarlet mite, is reported in Benton and Linn counties, Oregon, USA infesting both apples and pears. This is the first published record of the genus Cenopalpus in the New World. Cenopalpus pulcher is a pest of pome and stone fruits in the Old World. Based on a 1990 collection and current surveys, it now appears that it is well established in the indicated area. Cenopalpus pulcher is an invasive species capable of spreading into new areas by its own means or as a passive contaminant of plant materials transported across geographical regions.