Spider mite control in vegetables 2013

This presentation was delivered to farmers at the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Conference & Tradeshow in Auburn University, Alabama (USA), on

1. Spider Mite Control in Vegetables Dr. Ayanava Majumdar (Dr. A) Ext. Entomologist 115 Extension Hall Auburn, AL 36849 Tel: [phone] [email protected] AFVGA Conference, Feb. 9, 2013

2. References Jon Traunfeld . 2013. Top Vegetable pests – spider mite. Univ. of Maryland Extension. Godfrey, L. D. 2011. Spider mites. University of California – Statewide IPM Program, Pubication 7405. Fasulo , T. R. 2009. Twospotted spider mites. Univ. of Florida – IFAS Publication EENY-150. http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/twospotted_mite.htm Zalom et al. 2011. UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Tomato. University of California ANR Publication 3470. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783400111.html Schuster, D. Tomato russet mite. Univ. of Florida – IFAS Publication. http :// ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/success_stories/T&PGuide/pdfs/Chapter4/Russet_Mite.pdf Peter Jentsch . Mite Management Using Reduced Risk Pest Management Programs and Biological Control. Cornell University. http:// hudsonvf.cce.cornell.edu/scouting%20reports/scouting%20data/Mite%20Management%20Using%20Reduced%20Risk%20Pest%20Management%20Programs%20and%20Biological%20Control.pdf

3. Basic information Very common problem in AL 1/20 inch long Mites are not insects Related to spiders & ticks Spin webs – live in colonies Immature stages have 6 legs Overwinter as mated females

4. Life cycle Life cycle completed <1 wk (5 to 20 d) Like hot dry weather Eggs are small oval (look like dust particles, underside of leaves), 3 d to hatch Eggs change to larva (6 legs) Larva change to nymphs (8 legs) – two stages 5 to 10 generations common

5. Identification & Scouting Twospotted spider mite (TSM): Carry a 10X hand lens Females are larger than males Oval adults, eggs glued to webbing Underside of leaves & leaf tips Wide host range Twospotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Tomato russet mite (TRM): Smaller than TSM Carry a 14X hand lens Adults are elongate Infestation starts from lower leaves Leave edges, stems, fruits (small ) Solanaceous host plants Tomato russet mite Acilops lycopersici

6. Crop damage TRM: Greasy bronzing (russet color) Sudden dry out (lower leaves) TSM: Leaf drying Extensive webbing Slight bronzing

7. Spider mite management CULTURAL PRACTICES: Start clean: Get healthy transplants Avoid planting in hot dry conditions Avoid mowing or blowing dust on to crops Avoid water stress on plants

8. Spider mite management ALTERNATIVE MITICIDES: Layton et al. (2011): 2 applications of insecticidal oil, insecticidal soap or neem oil provided good TSM control OMRI approved: Grandevo (extracted from Chromobacterium subtsugae ) – 2 treatments on strawberry provided 63 to 80% mite suppression

9. Spider mite management CAUTION: Many synthetic pyrethroids can flare up spider mites by removing predatory mites and other beneficial insects. Abamectin ( AgriMek , 8-16 fl oz /acre): Good rescue insecticide. Contains synthetic abamectin and provides long-term residual control of TSM. Do not apply more than two sequential applications of abamectin . PHI on tomatoes is 7 days.

10. Spider mite management Bifenazate ( Acramite , 0.75-1 lb /acre): MOA: GABA agonist Contact poison against motile stage of TSM Has some ovicidal action (kills eggs) Reduced toxicity to predaceous mites and beneficial arthropods. Do not make more than one application per season. PHI on tomatoes is 3 days.

11. Fenpyroximate (Portal, 2 pts /acre): Mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor (METI), blocking cellular respiration Stops mite feeding & egg laying, 7 day to kill Good late season rescue insecticide Limit to one application per year Softer on predatory mites Complete coverage essential Spider mite management

12. Etoxazole (Zeal, 2 to 3 oz /acre): Good contact miticide but not labeled on many crops Kills eggs and stops molting of immatures Has translaminar movement Could take several days to act Spider mite management

13. Spiromesifen (Oberon, 7 to 8.5 fl oz ): Mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor (METI), blocking cellular respiration Kills motile mite but slow acting Spider mite management

14. Efficacy of PORTAL for Spider Mite Control 2012 ( fenpyroximate 5%) Crop was tomatoes. Location: Chilton REC, Clanton, AL. Treatment dates: 26 July (Mustang Max) & 9 Aug. (Warrior) to buildup mites. Portal treatment date was 24 Sept. Numbers indicate spider mites on 40 plants/treatment (10 plants/plot). Excessive rains prevented a steady pressure of mites.

15. Mite control in high tunnel Location: Brannon Farm, Addison, AL, 2012 Crop: Tomato Pest: Two-spotted spider mite Treatment: Insecticide rotation in high tunnel tomatoes. Suffoil –X has paraffinic oil. Acramite has bifenazate . Entire rows treated with untreated plants at the two ends. Observation: Mites per 20 leaflets on each observation date. Suffoil -X @ 1Ga/100Ga water Acramite 50WP @ 1lb/A Mixed approach to prevent miticide overuse

16. Efficacy of BRIGADE, SUFFOIL-X, JMS STYLEY-OIL for Spider Mite Control 2012 Crop was tomatoes. Location: Chilton REC, Clanton, AL. Numbers indicate spider mites on 40 tomato plants. Reduction in mites with JMS Stylet -Oil & Suffoil -X is good but action could be slow!

17. Organic Approved Insecticides

18. Alabama Vegetable Extension IPM Website www.aces.edu/go/87

19. Join Vegetable IPM on Facebook! Advantages: Live updates, interact with researchers, videos and photos, IPM contest

20. The IPM Communicator (A FREE electronic newsletter) To signup: Email [email protected] Or sign up today on the sheet provided!

21. References used Jon Traunfeld . 2013. Top Vegetable pests – spider mite. Univ. of Maryland Extension. Godfrey, L. D. 2011. Spider mites. University of California – Statewide IPM Program, Pubication 7405. Fasulo , T. R. 2009. Twospotted spider mites. Univ. of Florida – IFAS Publication EENY-150. http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/twospotted_mite.htm Zalom et al. 2011. UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Tomato. University of California ANR Publication 3470. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783400111.html Schuster, D. Tomato russet mite. Univ. of Florida – IFAS Publication. http :// ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/success_stories/T&PGuide/pdfs/Chapter4/Russet_Mite.pdf Peter Jentsch . Mite Management Using Reduced Risk Pest Management Programs and Biological Control. Cornell University. http:// hudsonvf.cce.cornell.edu/scouting%20reports/scouting%20data/Mite%20Management%20Using%20Reduced%20Risk%20Pest%20Management%20Programs%20and%20Biological%20Control.pdf