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How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

| More pests | More crops | About guidelines |

Plum rust mites.

Plum

Eriophyid Mites

Scientific names: Plum rust mite: Aculus fockeui
Big-beaked plum mite: Diptacus gigantorhynchus
and others in the genus Eriophyes

(Reviewed 5/06, updated 5/06)

In this Guideline:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PESTS

Eriophyid mites are tiny, microscopic mites that have two pairs of legs near the anterior end of the body. They are yellow to pinkish white to purplish in color, and wedge-shaped with the widest part of the body being just behind the head.

DAMAGE

All species feed on leaves. Heavily infested leaves take on a silvery or bronze appearance, depending on the species. Severe infestations can interfere with photosynthesis, but research indicates that populations as high as 120 eriophyid mites per leaf do not impact yield during the year of infestation.

MANAGEMENT

Eriophyid mites are more likely to reach high densities in sprayed orchards where predaceous mites are destroyed.

Biological Control
Light to moderate populations are suppressed by predaceous mites.

Organically Acceptable Methods
Biological control and sulfur sprays are acceptable for use on organically certified produce.

Treatment Decisions
Treatments are only recommended in orchards with chronic infestations or when there is a danger of defoliation.

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.
 
A. WETTABLE SULFUR# Label rates 0  
  or SULFUR DUST#
  MODE OF ACTION: Unknown. An inorganic miticide.
  COMMENTS: Do not apply within 2 weeks of oil spray.
 
B. FENBUTATIN OXIDE*
  (Vendex) 50WP 1–2 lb 0.5 lb 14
  MODE OF ACTION: Unknown. An organotin miticide.
  COMMENTS: Do not apply more than twice a season.
 
 
**  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 the label allows.
+ Preharvest interval. Do not apply within this many days of harvest.
* Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
# 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/.

[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Plum
UC ANR Publication 3462
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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Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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