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How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

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Nectarine

European Red Mite

Scientific Name: Panonychus ulmi

(Reviewed 6/06, updated 6/06)

In this Guideline:

Description of the pest
Damage
Management

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

The female European red mite is about 0.02 inch long and has a brick red, globular body with long curved hairs that arise from white spots or tubercles on the back. Nymphs or unfed females may appear greenish. European red mite eggs are red, slightly flattened, and have a stipe protruding from the top. They overwinter in the egg stage on twigs and spurs. Eggs hatch in early spring just after the trees leaf out, and many generations (8–10) are produced before fall. Ordinarily European red mite populations build up slowly during spring and do not become apparent until large populations are present.

DAMAGE

European red mites remove the contents of the leaf cells as they feed, causing leaves to take on a finely mottled appearance. Rarely do European red mites cause leaf drop in nectarine trees.

MANAGEMENT

European red mites provide an early season food source for predatory mites and do little damage unless the orchard is heavily infested. Allowing low populations of European red mites in spring helps build predator mite populations to build, which can later help control the more damaging webspinning mites. Generally treatments for this mite are applied in the dormant/delayed-dormant season.

Biological Control
The same predators that feed on Pacific and twospotted mites will also feed on European red mites. While the western predatory mite can sustain itself on European red mites, it cannot break the shell of European red mite eggs. Thus it takes longer for this predator to bring a population of these mites under control.

Cultural Control
Culturally, little can be done to control European red mites, as it is generally more abundant in well-managed, vigorous orchards.

Organically Acceptable Methods
Biological control and sprays of narrow range oil are organically acceptable management tools.

Monitoring and Treatment Decisions
Monitor for European red mite eggs along with other pests when taking the DORMANT SHOOT SAMPLE. Examine leaf scars and growth rings on twigs for the presence of eggs. Use an oil spray during dormancy to help control the overwintering eggs if 20% or more of the shoots have eggs, but remember that low to moderate populations are beneficial because they provide food for predators. During summer, look for stippling or bronzing on leaves. No specific numbers have been developed to initiate treatment for European red mites.

Common name

Amount to Use**

P.H.I.+

(trade name)

(conc.)

(dilute)

(days)

The following materials are listed in order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy, impact on natural enemies and honey bees, and impact of the timing on beneficials. When choosing a pesticide, also consider information relating to environmental impact.

DORMANT AND DELAYED DORMANT

NARROW RANGE OIL#

(Superior, Supreme)

4–6 gal

1–1.5 gal

MODE OF ACTION: Contact including smothering and barrier effects.

COMMENTS: With good coverage, oil will control European red mite and brown mite eggs and low infestations of San Jose scale. Use in conjunction with a bloom time spray of Bt to control peach twig borer.

POSTBLOOM

FENBUTATIN OXIDE*

(Vendex) 50WP

1–2 lb

4–8 oz

MODE OF ACTION: Unknown. An organotin miticide.

COMMENTS: Can be combined with oil.

NARROW RANGE OIL#

(Superior, Supreme)

4 gal

1–1.5 gal

MODE OF ACTION: Contact including smothering and barrier effects.

COMMENTS: Do not apply during the same season as propargite. Will reduce mite populations by 50%. Multiple applications may be necessary to keep populations below economic levels.

CLOFENTEZINE

(Apollo)

4 oz

1 oz

MODE OF ACTION: A tetrazine (Group 10A)¹ miticide.

COMMENTS: Kills eggs and young larval stages so it is best suited for an early season application if needed. Good coverage is a must; use a minimum of 50 gal water/acre for concentrate sprays and a maximum of 400 gal water/acre for dilute. To delay development of resistance, use only once/season.

HEXYTHIAZOX

(Onager)

12–24 oz

(Savey) 50DF

3–6 oz

MODE OF ACTION: A carboxamide (Group 10A)¹ miticide.

COMMENTS: Apply after bloom but before adult mite buildup. Controls eggs and immatures that are sprayed or move onto treated surfaces; does not kill adult mites but will kill eggs laid on treated surfaces. Do not make more than 1 application/year.

**	For dilute applications, rate is per 100 gal water to be applied in 300-500 gal water/acre, according to label; for concentrate applications, use 80-100 gal water/acre, or lower if label allows.
*	Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
+	Preharvest interval. Do not apply within this many days of harvest.
#	Acceptable for use on organically grown produce.
¹	Modes of action are important in preventing the development of resistance to pesticides. 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. 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 is 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: Nectarine
UC ANR Publication 3451
Insects and Mites
W. J. Bentley, UC IPM Program, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
K. R. Day, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare County
Acknowledgment for contributions to the insects and mites section:
R. E. Rice, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier

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