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How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Citrus
Sixspotted Mite
Scientific Name: Eotetranychus sexmaculatus
(Reviewed 7/03,
updated 7/03)
In this Guideline:
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST
Sixspotted mite is a minor pest on
citrus in some coastal growing areas. It is somewhat smaller than the
twospotted mite, lemon yellow, and usually has three pairs of black spots.
Populations tend to be heaviest in spring and early summer when temperatures
are cool and a generation takes 3 to 4 weeks to complete.
DAMAGE
Sixspotted mites feed along the midrib or larger veins on the underside of
citrus leaves. They form small colonies and cover themselves with protective
webbing. A depression develops where a colony has settled and becomes apparent
as a slight bulge on the upper leaf surface. The infested area may turn pale to
yellow, and the leaves often become distorted. Leaf drop may occur with few
mites present.
MANAGEMENT
These mites are generally kept under control by predaceous
mites and sixspotted thrips.
In areas protected from Santa Ana winds, this mite may occasionally require
treatment.
Common name
(trade name) |
Amount to Use
(type of coverage)** |
Minimum Days
before Harvest+ |
|
| A. |
WETTABLE SULFUR# |
45-60 lb/acre (TDC) |
1 |
| |
RANGE OF ACTIVITY:
Narrow (mites and citrus thrips) |
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PERSISTENCE: Intermediate |
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COMMENTS: For use on all varieties. Apply from Oct thru
May when monitoring indicates a need. Do not apply more than 6 lb/100
gal water. Do not apply during or preceding high temperatures. Do
not apply sulfur within 2 months of a previous oil spray, and do not
apply oil 60-90 days after a sulfur treatment. Not recommended for
use in the San Joaquin Valley. |
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| B. |
DICOFOL |
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(Kelthane MF) 4EC |
0.4 pt/100 gal (TDC) |
7 |
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RANGE OF ACTIVITY:
Narrow (pest and beneficial mites) |
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PERSISTENCE: Long |
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COMMENTS: For use on all varieties. Closed application
system required with this material. Can cause secondary outbreaks
of citrus red mites. Do not exceed 6 pt/acre. |
| ** |
TDC - Thorough distribution coverage
uses 500-3,000 gal/acre, but less than thorough coverage (TC). |
| + |
Minimum days before harvest takes into
account the California restricted entry interval and the federal preharvest
interval and lists the longer interval. (See Table 1 Mandatory
Intervals Between Application, Reentry and Harvest, and Hazards to
Bees.) |
| # |
Acceptable for use on organically grown
produce. |
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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 Co.
P. A. Phillips, UC IPM Program, UC Cooperative Extension, Ventura Co.
C. E. Kallsen, UC Cooperative Extension, Kern Co.
D. R. Haviland, UC Cooperative Extension, Kern Co.
Acknowledgments for contributions to the insect, mite, and snail section:
J. Barcinas, E. S. I., Corona, CA
R. Dunn, Badger Farming Co., 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
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