Bugs » Spider Mites...

DESCRIPTION

Spider mites are tiny insects (from 0.1 to 1 mm long) with fine hairs, eight legs and no wings. They can be yellow, red, green, dark brown or spotted. Fine webbing on plant foliage usually indicates spider mite presence.

DAMAGE

There are several species of spider mites which feed on many different houseplants, fruits, vegetables and ornamentals. Both nymphs and adults suck plant sap, causing reduced plant vigour and small fruit with russeted skin. Leaves first develop a bleached look, then a bronzy appearance and finally become brown and brittle, accompanied by extensive webbing. Damage on outdoor plants is most visible between July and September.

LIFE CYCLE

Some species overwinter as eggs, others as adults under debris. In early spring, as the weather warms, adults crawl or are blown onto plants to lay eggs. Nymphs emerge in 2 or 3 days, then develop into adults in 7 to 10 days. There are many generations per year, with life cycles taking only 7 to 10 days in hot dry weather.

CONTROLS

• Inspect plants frequently, especially the undersides of middle- aged leaves along the main ribs, using a 10x magnifying lens. It may be helpful to shake foliage over a white sheet of paper to catch any mites.
• Apply dormant oil and lime sulfur in March.
• Frequently mist plants which are prone to mites with a fine water spray.
• Introduce Phytoseiulus predatory mites.
• Apply pesticides.
• Keep a pest journal for next years, recording host plants, controls used, and when you first noticed pest in relation to other plants in bloom.

PESTICIDES

• Summer Oil at label rate. Can be repeated in six weeks.
• Three applications of Safer’s Soap or Trounce at label rates five days apart.
  

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