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The red palm miteRaoiella indicaHirst (Tenuipalpidae) was first reported in the New World in 2004, dispersing quickly and widely while adopting new plant species as hosts. Since then, it has caused severe damage in this region, especially to coconut (Cocos nuciferaL.). It was first found in Brazil in 2009, in the northern Amazonian state of Roraima. In the present study, native and introduced plants were sampled between March 2010 and February 2011 in sites of the 15 Roraima municipalities, to estimate its distribution and the associated mite fauna. In addition, monthly samples were taken from a coconut plantation in Mucajaí throughout the same period, for an initial appraisal of the levelsR. indicacould reach. It was found in 10 municipalities, on 19 plant species of four families. Six species are reported for the first time as hosts. Among the associated predators, 89.1% were Phytoseiidae, most commonlyAmblyseius largoensis(Muma),Iphiseiodes zuluagaiDenmark & Muma andEuseius concordis(Chant). The highest densities ofR.indica, 1.5 and 0.35 mites/cm2of leaflet (approx total of 331 and 77 mites/leaflet), were reached respectively in March 2010 and February 2011. The highest density of phytoseiids on coconut (0.009 mites/cm2or about 2 mites/leaflet) was reached in November 2010. The average densities ofR. indicarecorded for Roraima were comparable to those reported for countries in which the mite is reportedly economically damaging. The dispersal ofR. indicathrough the Amazon forest may result in damage to cultivated and native palms, and plants of other families, if the projected increase in both the frequency and the severity of drought events occurs. Parts of the Amazon have undergone periods of low rainfall, a condition that appears to favour the biology of this mite. Its eventual arrival to northeastern Brazil may result in heavy economic and ecological losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]