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How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Turfgrass
Bermudagrass Mite
Scientific Name: Eriophes cynodoniensis
(Reviewed 6/03,
updated 6/03)
In this Guideline:
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST
The bermudagrass mite is an eriophyid mite that is so small it can barely
be seen even with a 10X hand lens. It has a wormlike shape with all four
legs and mouthparts at the anterior end. Eggs are spherical, transparent,
and about one-third the length of the adult mite. They are laid under
leaf sheaths. One generation (from egg through two nymphal stages and
reaching the egg-laying adult stage again) takes 7 to 10 days in summer
when temperatures are in the 80° to 110°F range.
SUSCEPTIBLE SPECIES
Common bermudagrass. Hybrid bermudagrass is resistant.
DAMAGE
Adult and immature mites suck juices and inject toxic saliva that shortens
internodes and swells leaf sheaths, forming a witches'-broom growth pattern.
Damage first appears in spring and is followed by dieback and browning in
summer.
MANAGEMENT
If bermudagrass mite is infesting turfgrass, reducing nitrogen fertilization
and close mowing or scalping with removal of clippings can slow down
reproduction of, or physically remove, bermudagrass mites. To confirm presence
of this mite, examine leaf sheaths of stunted plants with a 10X or 30X hand
lens for mites and their eggs. Damage thresholds have not been established for
this pest, but if a treatment seems necessary, mow the turf closely and remove
clippings first. In addition to physically removing most of the population, it
may also displace remaining mites so that they are more readily contacted by
the miticide. After mowing, irrigate the turf and spray while the grass is
still wet. To increase the chance of getting the pesticide under the leaf
sheath, add adequate spreader-sticker to the spray mixture. Do not water or cut
the grass within 24 hours of chemical treatment. A second application 10 days
after the first may be necessary to obtain satisfactory control.
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Amount/1000 sq ft**
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Many of these products are available for use by licensed applicators only and cannot be used by home gardeners.
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DICOFOL |
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(Kelthane) 50WSP |
0.165-0.33 oz |
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Apply sprays in 25 gal water/1000 sq ft |
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UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Turfgrass
UC ANR Publication 3365-T
Insects and Mites
H. S. Costa, Entomology, UC Riverside
R. S. Cowles, Entomology, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Windsor, CT
M. A. Harivandi, UC Cooperative Extension, Alameda Co.
J. Hartin, UC Cooperative Extension, San Bernardino Co.
H. K. Kaya, Nematology, UC Davis
Acknowledgment for contributions to the insect and mite section:
K. Kido, Entomology, UC Riverside
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