Oligonychus psidium Estebanes y Baker (Acari: Tetranychidae): fluctuación poblacional e importancia como plaga ocasional del cultivo del guayabo, Psidium guajava L

The population fluctuation of Oligonychus psidium was studied in relation with certain climatological conditions to report the importance of this species on guava orchards at Centro Frutícola del Zulia (CENFRUZU), Mara Co. (10º49 46,6 LN - 71º46 29,2 LW) and RFA, Baralt Co. (9º36 02 LN - 70º58 33 LW), Zulia State. From January to April of 2008, eight samplings of young and mature leaves, green fruits and portions of 5cm of productive branches were recollected; and mites were counted from 4096 samples at both localities. Populations of O. psidium damaged leaves and fruits at CENFRUZU and RFA. The highest populations of mites were present from January to February 2008 for CENFRUZU and from March to April 2008 for RFA. Means mite·plant-1 at CENFRUZU were higher than at RFA, which were significantly correlated to the relative humidity (73%, r=0.84) along with the absence of rains; whereas at RFA the HR (78%) showed a negative correlation with the mean mite·plant-1 (r=-0.83), along with the presence of rains from February to April (mean of 14mm), but no correlation was significantly observed. The wind speed was higher (P