Understanding and Controlling Red Spider Mites: A Comprehensive Guide
Red spider mites are tiny arthropods classified as Arachnida and members of the Tetranychidae family, along with hundreds of different species. They are distributed worldwide and are a persistent concern for growers in warm, arid, and dry weather regions. Red spider mites’ presence in fields could go unnoticed until infestation reaches a critical point were damage to plants is visible.
Symptoms
Miniscule, orange, red, yellow, green or brown mites, which are difficult to see, on leaves, stems and fruit
Silky webbing on and around affected plant parts
A sticky substance (honeydew) may appear under where they are feeding
Stunted growth
Weakened growth
Leaf mottling and discolouration
Distorted leaves
Premature and/or severe leaf fall
red spider mites life-cycle
The life cycle of red spider mites involves several stages of development, including eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults.
When weather conditions are right, the female red spider mites lay eggs on the undersides of leaves or the stems of the host plant. The eggs hatch into larvae, which then develop into nymphs. The nymphs molt several times as they grow, eventually becoming adult mites.
The entire life cycle of a red spider mite can be completed in as little as 5 to 10 days, depending on the temperature and humidity conditions. This means that red spider mites can produce several generations per year, with the exact number of generations varying depending on the specific species and the local climate.
How do they spread?
One way that red spider mites can migrate is by the wind. They are small and lightweight and can be easily carried by the wind from one plant to another. This can be especially problematic in greenhouses or other enclosed growing spaces, where the mites can migrate between plants more easily.
Another way that red spider mites can migrate is by hitching a ride on humans or animals. For example, the mites may be carried along if an infested plant is moved from one location to another. Similarly, if an animal brushes against an infested plant and then moves to another plant, the mites may be transferred in this way.
Finally, red spider mites can also migrate by crawling from one plant to another. This is more likely to occur when plants are near one another and can be particularly problematic in gardens or greenhouses where many different types of plants are grown nearby.
How to spot them?
red spider mites are tiny and difficult to see without magnification. To spot red spider mites, it is helpful to use a magnifying glass or hand lens with at least 10x magnification.
To look for red spider mites, you should focus on the undersides of leaves, as this is where they tend to hide. You should also check the stems and the base of the plant, as well as any flowers or fruit that may be present. Red spider mites may also be found on other parts of the plant, so it is important to examine the entire plant thoroughly.
When looking for red spider mites, you should be on the lookout for small, reddish-brown insects that are about the size of a grain of salt. You may also see fine webbing on the leaves, indicating that red spider mites are present. If you are having trouble spotting the mites, you can try gently shaking the leaves or tapping the plant gently to encourage the mites to move.
Shaking the plant above a white sheet of paper can effectively spot red spider mites, as the mites will fall onto the paper and be easier to see against the white background. Hold a white paper beneath the plant and gently shake the leaves and stems. This will cause any red spider mites present to fall onto the paper.
It is also helpful to check for other signs of an infestation, such as yellow or discolored leaves, leaf drops, or stunted plant growth. These may be indicators of a red spider mite infestation, even if the mites themselves are not immediately visible.
Why is it challenging to control red spider mites?
First, they reproduce quickly and can build up large populations in a short amount of time. This makes it difficult to control them with chemical pesticides, as they may quickly build up resistance to the pesticides being used.
Second, red spider mites are small and difficult to see, making it hard to identify infestations until they are well established. They also tend to hide in the undersides of leaves, making it difficult to spot them and apply pesticides directly to them.
Finally, red spider mites can be easily spread from plant to plant, either by wind or by humans and animals moving infested plants or soil. This means that even if you can control an infestation on one plant, the mites may quickly spread to other plants in the area.
(Source: Agrio)
How to control red spider mites?
Red spider mites breed very quickly in summer, in warm, dry conditions, and just a few can quickly get out of hand. Once numbers build up, control becomes more difficult. When large numbers are present, more damage is done to the plants, and this will affect your plants more severely. So, it is important to check plants regularly, and dealing with any you see – as soon as you see them.
Non-chemical control
As you can’t really squash or effectively remove red spider mites from plants, remove and destroy the plant parts where they are congregating and feeding.
In the greenhouse or conservatory, red spider mites can be controlled using the biological control, based on a specific predatory mite.
Take affected indoor plants outside, isolated from other plants. The cooler conditions outdoors may slow down their rate of reproduction. Spray leaves and stems with a high pressure of pump-up sprayer to try and recue infestation. This is highly unlikely to give good control, but will reduce numbers present, giving more chance of success from other methods of control.
(Source: Notcutts)
Chemical control
KING’S MITES OFF is an acaricide developed by King Qunenson for excellent control all life stages of spider mites including eggs, larvae, nymphs and adults.The active ingredient Bifenazate provides a unique mode of action so that KING’S MITES OFF provides both fast knockdown and long-lasting control effects.
Different from the common Bifenazate products, KING’S MITES OFF contains special synergists and the small molecule natural surfactants to enhance the efficacy.
So KING’S MITES OFF also provides extra advantages including,
Efficacy not affected by temperature
Low dosage, high efficacy
Safe to the whole growing period of crops
No cross-resistance to the current acaricides
Reduce photolysis of the active ingredient
Good solubility and penetrability
Compatible with most pesticides
By the results of KING’S MITES OFF in field trial test, we have received many feedbacks of the outstanding efficacy.
The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) conducted the trial test of KING’S MITES OFF on citrus. When the dosage is 2000 times, KING’S MITES OFF provided 98% death rate of spider mites 1 day after application, 99% death rate 3 days after application and 100% death rate 10 days after application. The 100% death rate efficacy can last for 30 days.
Days | Dosage | ||
3000 times | 2500 times | 2000 times | |
1 | 96 | 96 | 98 |
3 | 98 | 98 | 99 |
10 | 98 | 99 | 100 |
15 | 98 | 99 | 100 |
20 | 99 | 99 | 100 |
30 | 99 | 99 | 100 |
On peach trees, KING’S MITES OFF provided 85% death rate of spider mites 1 day after application and 100% death rate 3 days after application. When 10 days after application, spider mites were still invisible, the infested leaves turned green and the backside of leaves were very clean.
Since 2003, King Quenson has been thriving to introduce the latest technologies to agricultural industries and farmers to achieve mutual development and prosperity. With years of dedication and rich experience, King Quenson devotes more than 21 years to crop protection and offers solutions.
If you have a need, you can contact us at any time:
Email: info@kingquenson.com
Tel: 86-755-86612760, 86-755-86612793
