|
|
How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Apricot
Brown
Mite
Scientific name: Bryobia
rubrioculus
(Reviewed 11/07,
updated 11/07)
In this Guideline:
|
|
|
The brown mite can be an economic pest of apricots. It is the
largest of all apricot pest mites. Brown mite eggs hatch in early spring and the newly
hatched mites are red with six legs. After the first molt they are brown with eight legs and
resemble the adult. Adults are
flattened with long front legs. The mites feed only during the cool parts of
the day, and migrate off the leaves during midday. They are not active during
hotter periods of the summer. There are two to three generations per year
between February and June.
Brown mite is seldom a pest; itsfeeding causes yellowing of the
foliage, but leaves rarely drop. Infestations are generally confined to a few
trees or localized.
Predators will generally keep brown mite populations below damaging
levels. Allowing low populations of brown mites in the orchard during spring
enables mite predators to increase their population to levels that are more
effective in controlling webspinning mites. Generally, hot weather and
predators cause brown mite populations to decline in summer.
Biological Control
The western
predatory mite and brown lacewing are
both effective predators, but alone may not control brown mite populations.
Nevertheless, it is important to avoid insecticides that will kill these
natural enemies.
Organically Acceptable Methods
Biological control and oil sprays are acceptable for use on
organically grown apricots.
Monitoring and Treatment Decisions
These mites are generally controlled by a dormant spray of oil.
Occasionally there may be an infestation during a cool spring when dormant
treatments were inadequate.
| Common name |
Amount to Use** |
R.E.I.+ |
P.H.I.+ |
| (trade name) |
(conc.) |
(dilute) |
(hours) |
(days) |
|
| When choosing a pesticide, consider information relating
to the impact on natural enemies
and honey bees and environmental impact.
|
| |
| DORMANT |
| A. |
NARROW RANGE OIL# |
4–8 gal |
1.5–2 gal |
4 |
0 |
| |
MODE OF ACTION: Contact including smothering and barrier effects. |
| |
COMMENTS: Cover all parts of the tree. Oil alone will control
low to moderate infestations. Do not apply oil to water-stressed trees. Some
of the new lower-chilling varieties, especially Poppycot, can be highly susceptible to oil damage. Use extreme care when
applying oil to these varieties. Check with certifier to determine which products are organically acceptable. |
| |
| |
|
![[Precautions]](/IMAGES/btn-precautions_bul.gif)
![[UC Peer Reviewed]](/IMAGES/logo-ucpeerreviewed.jpg)
UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Apricot
UC ANR Publication 3433
Insects and Mites
W. W. Coates, UC Cooperative Extension, San Benito Co.
R. A. Van Steenwyk, Insect Biology, UC Berkeley
W. J. Bentley, UC IPM Program, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
K. R. Day, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare Co.
K. A. Kelley, UC Cooperative Extension, Stanislaus Co.
J. L. Caprile, UC Cooperative Extension, Contra Costa Co.
Acknowledgment for contributions to the insects and mites section:
L. C. Hendricks, UC Cooperative Extension, Merced Co.
Top of page
|
