How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

DESCRIPTION OF THE PESTS

These two spider mites have similar life histories and are controlled in the same manner. Overwintering female mites are red or orange colored and are found under rough bark, in ground litter, and on winter weeds. Adult males do not overwinter and are smaller than females. During the growing season their color ranges from yellow to green to black depending on age and host food. Both species have dark spots on their bodies.

Eggs are laid on the foliage. Immature mites molt three times. Early in the season mites are found in lower to central areas of the tree. The mites reproduce rapidly during warm weather between June and September. During favorable conditions, mites develop within 7 days with eight to ten generations per season.

DAMAGE

Mites damage foliage by sucking cell contents from leaves. The damage begins with leaf stippling. Leaves can turn yellow and drop off. High populations cover tree terminals with webbing. Crop reduction shows up the year after damage occurs.

MANAGEMENT
In many cases biological control keeps spider mites under control. Miticides may be necessary in some orchards in summer, but only when mite populations reach damaging levels, which often occurs after pesticides have been used that disrupt natural enemies. Keeping cherry orchards well irrigated during summer will help reduce the likelihood of mite outbreaks that are severe enough to warrant treatment.

Biological Control
Several species play a large role in mite control, including the western predatory mite (Galendromus [=Metaseiulus] occidentalis), sixspotted thrips, spider mite destroyer, brown lacewing, and green lacewing. The western predatory mite is the most reliable mite predator. It is the same size as spider mites, but lacks spots and ranges in color from cream to amber red. This predator maintains good control unless the proportion of leaves with spider mites is higher than the proportion of leaves with predatory mites.

Cultural Control
Reduce dusty conditions in orchards by oiling or watering roadways and maintaining a groundcover. Prevent water stress, as this condition results in higher mite densities and intensified damage.

Organically Acceptable Methods
Biological and cultural controls and oil sprays are acceptable for use on an organically certified crop.

Monitoring and Treatment Decisions
Regular monitoring will help determine if biological control is keeping spider mites under control or if treatments are needed. Begin monitoring leaves for mites in March. From March through May, monitor every other week; monitor weekly from May through August. Check trees at random throughout the orchard, and separately sample trees along dusty roads, areas of the orchard that are stressed, and areas that have had mite problems in the past. Sample at least 15 leaves from each tree, taking leaves from inside the canopy on the lower part of the tree. Record the number of leaves with pest mites and the number of leaves with predators. If the number of leaves with predators is nearly the same as the number with pest mites, no treatment is needed. Return in a week or so and sample again. If the number of leaves with pest mites is increasing and the number with predators is not, then treat. Presence of a large number of mite eggs is an indication that the population is increasing.

Spot treatments may be sufficient because heavy infestations usually start in dusty or stressed areas of the orchard. Use materials that are least harmful to natural enemies. Spray oils can be used as long as trees are not stressed, but oils are not effective on mite infestations that have developed heavy webbing. Oil sprays reduce mite populations about 50% in two weeks; so monitor mite numbers again two weeks after treatment to see if an additional spray is needed.

If treatment is needed early in the season and predators are present, you can use below-label rates of a miticide to reduce the pest population and help preserve predators. Treatments are not needed after the first of September; mite populations decline naturally at this time.

Common name		Amount to Use**		R.E.I.+	P.H.I.+
(trade name)		(conc.)	(dilute)	(hours)	(days)
The following materials are listed in order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy and impact on natural enemies and honey bees. When choosing a pesticide, also consider information relating to environmental impact. Not all registered pesticides are listed. Always read label of product being used.
SPRING-SUMMER
A.	NARROW RANGE OIL	4–8 gal	1.5–2 gal	see label	0
	MODE OF ACTION: Contact including smothering and barrier effects.
	. . . PLUS . . .(optional)
	BIFENAZATE
	(Acramite) 50WS	0.75–1 lb	0.1875–0.25 lb	12	3
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 25
	COMMENTS: May be applied only once per crop season.
	. . . or . . .
	SPIRODICLOFEN
	(Envidor) 2SC	16–18 fl oz	4–4.5 fl oz	12	7
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 23
	COMMENTS: May be applied only once per crop season.
	. . . or . . .
	HEXYTHIAZOX
	(Onager)	12–24 oz	3–6 oz	12	28
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 10A
	COMMENTS: May be applied only once per crop season.
	. . . or . . .
	ETOXAZOLE
	(Zeal)	2–3 oz	0.5–0.75 oz	12	7
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 10B
	COMMENTS: May be applied only once per crop season to nonbearing trees. Use allowed under a Supplemental Label.
	. . . or . . .
	CLOFENTEZINE
	(Apollo SC)	2–4 oz	0.5–1 oz	12	21
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 10A
	COMMENTS: This material is more effective in the early part of the year; apply after sampling indicates pest mites are increasing but before significant damage or webbing is present. Kills eggs and young larval stages. Good coverage is a must; use a minimum of 50 gal water/acre for concentrate and a maximum of 400 gal water/acre for dilute. To delay development of resistance, use only once/season.
B.	PROPARGITE
	(Omite) 30WS	6 lb	1.5 lb	7 days	see comments
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 12C
	COMMENTS: For postharvest use only. Do not apply less than 40 days after or 30 days before an oil application.
C.	NARROW RANGE OIL#	4–8 gal	1.5–2 gal	see label	0
	MODE OF ACTION: Contact including smothering and barrier effects.
	COMMENTS: Do not apply within 30 days of a propargite application. Be sure that trees are not water stressed or injury may result. Not all oils are organically acceptable; be sure to check individual products.
**	For concentrate applications, use the amount given in 80–100 gal water/acre, or lower if the label allows; for dilute applications, amount is per 100 gal water to be applied in 300–400 gal water/acre, according to label.
+	Restricted entry interval (R.E.I.) is the number of hours (unless otherwise noted) from treatment until the treated area can be safely entered without protective clothing. Preharvest interval (P.H.I.) 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.
*	Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
#	Acceptable for use on organically grown produce.
1	Rotate chemicals 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; chemicals with a 1B Group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a Group number other than 1B. Mode of action Group numbers are assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.

IMPORTANT LINKS

• Photos of natural enemies of mites

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Cherry
UC ANR Publication 3440
Insects and Mites
J. A. Grant, UC Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County
J. L. Caprile, UC Cooperative Extension, Contra Costa County
W. W. Coates, UC Cooperative Extension, San Benito County
R. A. Van Steenwyk, Insect Biology, UC Berkeley
K. M. Daane, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
Acknowledgment for contributions to Insects and Mites:
J. Colyn, Mid-Valley Ag. Services
M. Devencenzi, Devencenzi Ag. Pest Mgmt. and Research
P. McKenzie, Mid-Valley Ag. Services

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