The six-spotted mite(SSM),Eotetranychussexmaculatus(Riley),aserious pest of avocados,citrus,plumeria,etc.,is native to the Americas,but it has invaded and spread to most of the rubber tree regions in China during the past few decades and has become the most important pest mite of rubber trees in recent years.E.sexmaculatus feed primarily on the lower surfaces of leaves,mainly along leaf veins.During feeding,the mites penetrate the host plant with their stylets and suck out the cell contents,resulting in discoloration and death of leaf tissues.Heavy infestations result in severe defoliation,causing the rubber tree to stop growing andproducing latex,and the yield reduction is devastating.If young rubber trees have been seriously damaged,twigs will eventually become dry and die.Recent years,SSM has become one of the most important peststhroughout most of the rubber tree plant areas in China,especially in Yunnan,the biggest producer of rubber in China,causing at least 5,000 ha2 and 600,000 kg/year reduction in dry rubber yield.