Description of the Pest
Eriophyid mites are tiny, microscopic mites that have two pairs of legs near the anterior end of the body. They are yellow to pinkish white to purplish in color, and wedge-shaped with the widest part of the body being just behind the head.
Damage
All species feed on leaves. Heavily infested leaves take on a silvery or bronze appearance, depending on the species. Severe infestations can interfere with photosynthesis, but research indicates that populations as high as 120 eriophyid mites per leaf do not impact yield during the year of infestation.
Management
Eriophyid mites are more likely to reach high densities in sprayed orchards where predaceous mites are destroyed.
Biological Control
Light to moderate populations are suppressed by predaceous mites.
Organically Acceptable Methods
Biological control and sulfur sprays are acceptable for use on organically certified produce.
Treatment Decisions
Treatments are only recommended in orchards with chronic infestations or when there is a danger of defoliation.
| Common name | Amount to use** | REI‡ | PHI‡ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Example trade name) | (conc.) | (dilute) | (hours) | (days) | |
| Not all registered pesticides are listed. The following are ranked with the pesticides having the greatest IPM value listed first—the most effective and least harmful to natural enemies, honey bees, and the environment are at the top of the table. When choosing a pesticide, consider information relating to air and water quality, resistance management, and the pesticide's properties and application timing. Always read the label of the product being used. | |||||
| A. | WETTABLE SULFUR# | Label rates | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| or SULFUR DUST# | |||||
| MODE OF ACTION: Unknown. An inorganic insecticide. | |||||
| COMMENTS: Do not apply within 2 weeks of oil spray. | |||||
| B. | FENBUTATIN OXIDE* | ||||
| (Vendex) 50WP | 1–2 lb | 0.5 lb | 48 | 14 | |
| MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 12B | |||||
| COMMENTS: Do not apply more than twice a season. | |||||
| * | Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use. |
| ** | For dilute applications, rate is per 100 gal water to be applied in 300-500 gal water/acre, according to label; for concentrate applications, use 80-100 gal water/acre, or lower if the label allows. |
| ‡ | Restricted entry interval (REI) is the number of hours (unless otherwise noted) from treatment until the treated area can be safely entered without protective clothing. Preharvest interval (PHI) is the number of days from treatment to harvest. In some cases the REI exceeds the PHI. The longer of two intervals is the minimum time that must elapse before harvest. |
| # | Acceptable for use on organically grown produce. |
| 1 | Rotate insecticides with a different mode-of-action group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action group number more than twice per season to help prevent the development of resistance. For example, the organophosphates have a group number of 1B; insecticides with a 1B group number should be alternated with insecticides that have a group number other than 1B. Mode-of-action group numbers for insecticides and miticides (un=unknown or uncertain mode of action) are assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). |