Spider Mite Control in Vegetables

Dr. Ayanava Majumdar (Dr. A)Ext. Entomologist 115 Extension HallAuburn, AL 36849

Tel: (251) 331-8416bugdoctor@auburn.edu

AFVGA Conference, Feb. 9, 2013

References• Jon Traunfeld. 2013. Top Vegetable pests – spider mite. Univ. of Maryland

Extension.

• Godfrey, L. D. 2011. Spider mites. University of California – Statewide IPM Program, Pubication 7405.

• Fasulo, T. R. 2009. Twospotted spider mites. Univ. of Florida – IFAS Publication EENY-150. http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/twospotted_mite.htm

• Zalom et al. 2011. UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Tomato. University of California ANR Publication 3470. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783400111.html

• Schuster, D. Tomato russet mite. Univ. of Florida – IFAS Publication. http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/success_stories/T&PGuide/pdfs/Chapter4/Russet_Mite.pdf

• Peter Jentsch. Mite Management Using Reduced Risk Pest Management Programs and Biological Control. Cornell University. http://hudsonvf.cce.cornell.edu/scouting%20reports/scouting%20data/Mite%20Management%20Using%20Reduced%20Risk%20Pest%20Management%20Programs%20and%20Biological%20Control.pdf

Basic information

• Very common problem in AL

• 1/20 inch long• Mites are not insects• Related to spiders &

ticks• Spin webs – live in

colonies• Immature stages have 6

legs• Overwinter as mated

females

Life cycle • Life cycle completed <1 wk (5

to 20 d)

• Like hot dry weather

• Eggs are small oval (look like dust particles, underside of leaves), 3 d to hatch

• Eggs change to larva (6 legs)

• Larva change to nymphs (8 legs) – two stages

• 5 to 10 generations common

Identification & ScoutingTwospotted spider mite (TSM):• Carry a 10X hand lens• Females are larger than males• Oval adults, eggs glued to webbing• Underside of leaves & leaf tips• Wide host range Twospotted spider mite

Tetranychus urticaeTomato russet mite (TRM):• Smaller than TSM• Carry a 14X hand lens• Adults are elongate• Infestation starts from lower leaves• Leave edges, stems, fruits (small)• Solanaceous host plants

Tomato russet miteAcilops lycopersici

Crop damage

TRM:– Greasy bronzing

(russet color)– Sudden dry out

(lower leaves)

TSM:– Leaf drying– Extensive webbing– Slight bronzing

Spider mite managementCULTURAL PRACTICES:

• Start clean: Get healthy transplants

• Avoid planting in hot dry conditions

• Avoid mowing or blowing dust on to crops

• Avoid water stress on plants

Spider mite managementALTERNATIVE MITICIDES:

• Layton et al. (2011): 2 applications of insecticidal oil, insecticidal soap or neem oil provided good TSM control

• OMRI approved: Grandevo (extracted from Chromobacterium subtsugae) – 2 treatments on strawberry provided 63 to 80% mite suppression

Spider mite managementCAUTION: Many synthetic pyrethroids can flare up spider mites by removing predatory mites and other beneficial insects.

Abamectin (AgriMek, 8-16 fl oz/acre): • Good rescue insecticide. • Contains synthetic abamectin and provides long-term

residual control of TSM. • Do not apply more than two sequential applications of

abamectin. • PHI on tomatoes is 7 days.

Spider mite managementBifenazate (Acramite, 0.75-1 lb/acre): • MOA: GABA agonist• Contact poison against motile stage of TSM• Has some ovicidal action (kills eggs) • Reduced toxicity to predaceous mites and

beneficial arthropods. • Do not make more than one application per

season. • PHI on tomatoes is 3 days.

Fenpyroximate (Portal, 2 pts/acre): • Mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor

(METI), blocking cellular respiration• Stops mite feeding & egg laying, 7 day to kill• Good late season rescue insecticide• Limit to one application per year• Softer on predatory mites• Complete coverage essential

Spider mite management

Etoxazole (Zeal, 2 to 3 oz/acre): • Good contact miticide but not labeled on

many crops• Kills eggs and stops molting of immatures• Has translaminar movement• Could take several days to act

Spider mite management

Spiromesifen (Oberon, 7 to 8.5 fl oz):• Mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor

(METI), blocking cellular respiration• Kills motile mite but slow acting

Spider mite management

Efficacy of PORTAL for Spider Mite Control 2012(fenpyroximate 5%)

20 Sept (mite buildup with pyrethroids)

4 Oct. (mite control) 12 Oct. (mite control)

84

917

35

17

73

0 3

Untreated check

Portal 32 oz + NIS

Acramite + NIS

7 DAT 17 DAT

Crop was tomatoes. Location: Chilton REC, Clanton, AL. Treatment dates: 26 July (Mustang Max) & 9 Aug. (Warrior) to buildup mites. Portal treatment date was 24 Sept. Numbers indicate spider mites on 40 plants/treatment (10 plants/plot). Excessive rains prevented a steady pressure of mites.

Mite control in high tunnelLocation: Brannon Farm, Addison, AL, 2012Crop: TomatoPest: Two-spotted spider miteTreatment: Insecticide rotation in high tunnel tomatoes. Suffoil –X has paraffinic oil. Acramite has bifenazate. Entire rows treated with untreated plants at the two ends. Observation: Mites per 20 leaflets on each observation date.

Obs. 1 (July 6) Obs. 2 (July 15) Obs. 3 (July 23)0

2

4

6

8

10

12

8.2

6.5

1.9

8.2 7.8

9.6

Treated cropUntreated Ch. (tunnel ends)

Suffoil-X @ 1Ga/100Ga water

Acramite 50WP @ 1lb/A

Mixed approach to prevent miticide overuse

Efficacy of BRIGADE, SUFFOIL-X, JMS STYLEY-OIL for Spider Mite Control 2012

27 Sept. 3 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct.

14

35

1711

56

45

12

34

26

1823

3227 Untreated check

Suffoil-X (0.01%)JMS Stylet-Oil (3 qt)Bifenthrin 5 oz/A

Crop was tomatoes. Location: Chilton REC, Clanton, AL. Numbers indicate spider mites on 40 tomato plants.

Reduction in mites with JMS Stylet-Oil & Suffoil-X is good but action could be slow!

Organic Approved Insecticides

Alabama Vegetable Extension IPM Website

www.aces.edu/go/87

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References used• Jon Traunfeld. 2013. Top Vegetable pests – spider mite. Univ. of Maryland

Extension.

• Godfrey, L. D. 2011. Spider mites. University of California – Statewide IPM Program, Pubication 7405.

• Fasulo, T. R. 2009. Twospotted spider mites. Univ. of Florida – IFAS Publication EENY-150. http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/twospotted_mite.htm

• Zalom et al. 2011. UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Tomato. University of California ANR Publication 3470. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783400111.html

• Schuster, D. Tomato russet mite. Univ. of Florida – IFAS Publication. http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/success_stories/T&PGuide/pdfs/Chapter4/Russet_Mite.pdf

• Peter Jentsch. Mite Management Using Reduced Risk Pest Management Programs and Biological Control. Cornell University. http://hudsonvf.cce.cornell.edu/scouting%20reports/scouting%20data/Mite%20Management%20Using%20Reduced%20Risk%20Pest%20Management%20Programs%20and%20Biological%20Control.pdf