How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

Broad mites are often found in depressions on fruit where the females lay their eggs, which are dimpled, translucent, and covered in white speckles. These mites are so small you need a hand lens to see them. Broad mites are yellowish in color and adult females have a white stripe on the back.

DAMAGE

Broad mites feed on fruit and leaves, preferring young fruit up to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter that are located on the inside of the canopy or on the inward facing side of outer fruit. Feeding results in scarred tissue that cracks as fruit grows, leaving a characteristic pattern of scars and new tissue. Although most feeding occurs on fruit, broad mites may also feed on young expanding leaves causing them to curl. This cupping and curling of leaves can appear similar to mild damage caused by glyphosate-Roundup applications.

MANAGEMENT

Broad mites are occasional pests of coastal lemons from late July through early October; infestations are enhanced by the presence of Argentine ants. This mite often occurs in conjunction with CITRUS RUST MITE, with the rust mite usually predominating in number. Populations of broad mite tend to be most severe in warm, humid conditions such as found in greenhouses. No treatment thresholds have been developed for broad mite in citrus. If high and increasing populations warrant treatment, use miticides with the least toxicity to predaceous mites.

Common name		Amount to Use	R.E.I.+	P.H.I.+
(trade name)		(type of coverage)**	(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.
A.	ABAMECTIN*
	(Agri-Mek, etc.)	10 fl oz/acre (OC or IC)	12	7
	RANGE OF ACTIVITY: Pests: intermediate (citrus thrips, mites, leafminers); Natural enemies: predatory mites & thrips
	PERSISTENCE: Pests: intermediate; Natural enemies: intermediate
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 6
	. . . PLUS . . .
	NARROW RANGE OIL
	(415)	0.25–1%	4	when dry
	RANGE OF ACTIVITY: Pests: broad (unprotected stages of insects/mites); Natural enemies: most
	PERSISTENCE: Pests: short; Natural enemies: short
	MODE OF ACTION: Contact including smothering and barrier effects.
	COMMENTS: For use on all varieties.
B.	WETTABLE SULFUR#	3–4 lb/100 gal (OC or IC)	24	0
	RANGE OF ACTIVITY: Pests: narrow (mites and citrus thrips); Natural enemies: most
	PERSISTENCE: Pests: intermediate; Natural enemies: intermediate
	MODE OF ACTION: Not available
	COMMENTS: For use on all varieties. Apply as mites appear; avoid applications during or preceding high temperatures. Do not apply sulfur within 2 months of a previous oil spray or apply oil 60-90 days after a sulfur treatment.
C.	SPIRODICLOFEN
	(Envidor) 2SC	see comments	12	7
	RANGE OF ACTIVITY: Pests: narrow (mites); Natural enemies: predatory mites
	PERSISTENCE: Pests: intermediate; Natural enemies: intermediate
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 23
	COMMENTS: Make no more than 1 application/crop season. Application rate is 12-20 fl oz/acre (OC or IC) when horticultural spray oil is not used, and 18-20 fl oz/acre (OC or IC) when it is. Treatments without oil are more effective.
D.	FENPROXIMATE
	(Fujimite) 5EC	1–4 pt (OC or IC)	12	14
	RANGE OF ACTIVITY: Pests: narrow (mites); Natural enemies: predatory mites
	PERSISTENCE: Pests: intermediate; Natural enemies: intermediate
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 21
	COMMENTS: Do not make more than 2 applications/season and allow 14 days between applications. Use allowed under a Supplemental Label.
E.	DICOFOL
	(Kelthane MF) 4E	0.6–0.8 pt/100 gal (IC)	12	7
	RANGE OF ACTIVITY: Pests: narrow (mites); Natural enemies: predatory mites
	PERSISTENCE: Pests: intermediate; Natural enemies: intermediate
	MODE OF ACTION: UNC
	COMMENTS: For use on all varieties; do not apply during bloom. Can cause secondary outbreak of citrus red mite. Closed application system required with this material. Do not exceed 6 pt/acre.
F.	CHLORPYRIFOS*
	(Lorsban) 4E	9–12 pt/acre (OC or IC)	5 days	see comments
	RANGE OF ACTIVITY: Pests: broad (many insects); Natural enemies: most
	PERSISTENCE: Pests: short (low rates), intermediate (high rates); Natural enemies: short (low rates), intermediate (high rates)
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B
	COMMENTS: For use on all varieties. Do not apply during bloom and no more than 2 applications/year at least 30 days apart. Preharvest interval is 21 days for up to 7 pt/acre and 35 days above 7 pt/acre. Rates greater than 8 pt/acre allowed only in Fresno, Tulare, Kern, Kings, Stanislaus, and Madera counties.
**	LV - Low-volume uses 20–100 gal/acre.
	OC - Outside coverage uses 100–250 gal water/acre.
	IC - Intermediate coverage uses 250-600 gal/acre.
+	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.
#	Acceptable for use on organically grown produce.
*	Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
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/.

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Citrus
UC ANR Publication 3441
Insects, Mites, and Snails
E. E. Grafton-Cardwell, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
J. G. Morse, Entomology, UC Riverside
N. V. O‘Connell, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare County
P. A. Phillips, UC IPM Program, UC Cooperative Extension, Ventura County
C. E. Kallsen, UC Cooperative Extension, Kern County
D. R. Haviland, UC Cooperative Extension, Kern County
Acknowledgments for contributions to Insect, Mites, and Snails:
J. Barcinas, E. S. I., Corona, CA
R. Dunn, Badger Farming County, Exeter, CA
J. Gorden, Pest Management Associates, Exeter, CA
H. Griffiths, E. S. I., Corona, CA
D. Machlitt, Consulting Entomology Services, Moorpark, CA
C. Musgrove, retired entomologist, Riverside, CA
K. Olsen, S & J Ranch, Pinedale, CA
T. Roberts, E. S. I., Corona, CA
J. Stewart, Pest Management Associates, Exeter, CA
P. Washburn, Washburn & Sons Citrus Pest Control, Riverside, CA
K. Godfrey, USDA Biological Control, Sacramento
D. Headrick, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
B. Faber, UC Cooperative Extension, Ventura County
J. Kabashima, UC Cooperative Extension, South Coast Research and Extension Center

Top of page