How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

The flat mite is a minor pest of citrus in the desert regions and interior valleys. The adult is much smaller than the citrus red mite, is flat, and often appears salmon colored but varies in color. The flat mite is usually a secondary invader, feeding on rind tissue damaged by leafhopper feeding, thrips feeding or oviposition, or wind.

DAMAGE

Citrus flat mite feeding results in a scabbing of the injury caused by thrips and leafhoppers, which would otherwise disappear as the fruit change color. The flat mite is fairly heat tolerant, so populations persist during the hot summer.

MANAGEMENT

No treatment thresholds have been established. Treat when high mite levels appear and monitoring for fruit scarring indicates a need.

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.	WETTABLE SULFUR#	60 lb/acre (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 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.
B.	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 most effective.
C.	DICOFOL
	(Kelthane MF) 4EC	0.4 pt/100 gal (OC or 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. Closed application system required with this material. Can cause secondary outbreaks of citrus red mites. Do not exceed 6 pt/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.
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

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