Citrus red mite—Panonychus citri
Citrus red mites are bright red and produce little or no webbing. Adult females are oval and globular;
the male is smaller and has a tapered abdomen.
Damage
Red mites cause a characteristic stippling mostly on upper leaf surfaces. When damage is serious, leaves
may bleach or burn at the tips. Leaf drop may occur. On fruit, citrus red mites cause a stippling and
later silvering on the rind of mature oranges and lemons. This stippling of the peel does not hurt the
quality of the fruit inside.
Solutions
Citrus red mites have numerous natural
enemies, which often keep the pest from reaching injurious levels
on unsprayed trees. Treatment is not usually necessary for backyard trees. An oil
spray in August or
September in Southern California and coastal areas or spring sprays in the San Joaquin Valley can be
used if deemed necessary. Oils may injure leaves during hot weather. | 
Citrus
red mite adult
Stippling
of upper leaf surface
|
