The mite Dichopelmus notus Keifer (Acari, Eriophyidae) causes tan and fall of leaves in mate trees, reducing the production and quality of their products. Monitoring the population levels of this type of mite is important to improve its management in commercial plantations. The objective of this work was to identify the spatial distribution and to determine the number of plants and leaf per plant that must be inspected in commercial cultivation of mate-tea in tan mite monitoring programs. The study was conducted in Chapecó, Santa Catarina, from January 2004 to January 2005. The evaluations were performed fortnightly in a 10-year old orchard, divided into three plots of approximately 2.500 m². In each plot, ten plants were randomly selected and in each, the number of mites was observed in 18 mature leaves. The evaluations were carried out directly in the orchard, using 10- fold increase lenses and 1 cm² of fixed field. Spatial distribution aggregate for the mite was confirmed, as well as the need to inspect three leaves per plant, 29 of them at random per hectare, from February to April in order to estimate the population at a level of accuracy of 15%.
Sampling; Ilex paraguariensis; Dichopelmus notus
