- Author: Mark Bolda
A sample of broad mites from primocane blackberry was dropped off at my office a couple of weeks ago. The mites are quite small (much smaller than twospotted spider mite), were found colonizing the younger emerging leaves of the plant and apparently giving the leaves a rumpled, curled appearance something similar to what one might see from very light Round Up damage (Photo 1 below).
As per the UC IPM guidelines, populations of broad mite tend to be most severe in warm, humid conditions such as those found in greenhouses. Which is a pretty spot on description of the weather we have had for like the last 10 weeks.
Also as per the UC IPM guidelines, the broad mites here are yellowish in color, and some (the females) have a white stripe clearly visible on the back. The eggs have distinct dimples on them (Photo 2 below).
The association with primocane blackberry is of interest. Looking back through my files, I see a communication concerning broad mites on the same in the Southeastern US, and I've been getting some calls and texts here in the area again regarding broad mites on local primocane blackberries, both public and proprietary.
- Author: Ben Faber
TYPES OF NATURAL ENEMIES
Parasites, pathogens, and predators are the primary groups used in biological control of insects and mites (Table 1). Most parasites and pathogens, and many predators, are highly specialized and attack a limited number of closely related pest species. Learn how to recognize natural enemies by consulting resources such as the Natural Enemies Handbook and the Natural Enemies Gallery.
Parasites
A parasite is an organism that lives and feeds in or on a host. Insect parasites can develop on the inside or outside of the host's body. Often only the immature stage of the parasite feeds on the host. However, adult females of certain parasites (such as many wasps that attack scales and whiteflies) feed on and kill their hosts, providing an easily overlooked but important source of biological control in addition to the host mortality caused by parasitism.
Although the term “parasite” is used here, true parasites (e.g., fleas and ticks) do not typically kill their hosts. Species useful in biological control, and discussed here, kill their hosts; they are more precisely called “parasitoids.”
Most parasitic insects are either flies (Order Diptera) or wasps (Order Hymenoptera). Parasitic wasps occur in over three dozen Hymenoptera families. For example, Aphidiinae (a subfamily of Braconidae) attack aphids. Trichogrammatidae parasitize insect eggs. Aphelinidae, Encyrtidae, Eulophidae, and Ichneumonidae are other groups that parasitize insect pests. It's important to note that these tiny to medium-sized wasps are incapable of stinging people. The most common parasitic flies are the typically hairy Tachinidae. Adult tachinids often resemble house flies. Their larvae are maggots that feed inside the host.
Pathogens
Natural enemy pathogens are microorganisms including certain bacteria, fungi, nematodes, protozoa, and viruses that can infect and kill the host. Populations of some aphids, caterpillars, mites, and other invertebrates are sometimes drastically reduced by naturally occurring pathogens, usually under conditions such as prolonged high humidity or dense pest populations. In addition to a naturally occurring disease outbreak (epizootic), some beneficial pathogens are commercially available as biological or microbial pesticides. These include Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt, entomopathogenic nematodes, and granulosis viruses. Additionally, some microorganism by-products, such as avermectins and spinosyns are used in certain insecticides; but applying these products is not considered to be biological control.
Predators
Predators kill and feed on several to many individual prey during their lifetimes. Many species of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles prey extensively on insects. Predatory beetles, flies, lacewings, true bugs (Order Hemiptera), and wasps feed on various pest insects or mites. Most spiders feed entirely on insects. Predatory mites that feed primarily on pest spider mites include Amblyseius spp., Neoseiulus spp., and the western predatory mite, Galendromus occidentalis.
AUGMENTATION
When resident natural enemies are insufficient, their populations can sometimes be increased (augmented) through the purchase and release of commercially available beneficial species. However, there has been relatively little research on releasing natural enemies in gardens and landscapes. Releases are unlikely to provide satisfactory pest control in most situations. Some marketed natural enemies are not effective. Many natural enemies are generalist predators and are cannibalistic and feed indiscriminately on pest and beneficial species, thereby reducing their effectiveness.
Only a few natural enemies can be effectively augmented in gardens and landscapes. For example, entomopathogenic nematodes can be applied to control certain tree-boring and lawn-feeding insects. Convergent lady beetles (Hippodamia convergens) purchased in bulk through mail order, stored in a refrigerator, and released in very large numbers at intervals can temporarily control aphids; however, lady beetles purchased through retail outlets are unlikely to be sufficient in numbers and quality to provide control.
Successful augmentation generally requires advanced planning, biological expertise, careful monitoring, optimal release timing, patience, and situations where certain levels of pests and damage can be tolerated. Situations where pests or damage are already abundant are not good opportunities for augmentation.
A classic example of poor timing for augmentative release of predatory mites for control of broad mite in coastal lemon or persea mite in avocado is right now. Pest populations for the most part have soared and releasing predatory mites is little help. Predatory mites need to be releases into a small growing population, so in both of these cases it would have been better to start small, frequent releases early and throughout the spring to knock their populations back.
Adult predatory mite, Euseius tularensis, and citrus red mite.
/h4>- Author: Ben Faber
We have recently had an outbreak of citrus broad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) in lemons. Broad mites feed on fruit and leaves, preferring young fruit up to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter that are located on the inside of the canopy or on the inward facing side of outer fruit. Feeding results in scarred tissue that cracks as fruit grows, leaving a characteristic pattern of scars and new tissue. Although most feeding occurs on fruit, broad mites may also feed on young expanding leaves causing them to curl. This cupping and curling of leaves can appear similar to mild damage caused by glyphosate-Roundup applications. Several PCAs have claimed that a variety of pesticides have had a very limited control of the pest
To see if predatory mites could help control the pest, Anna Howell in our office did a laboratory trial to see if the two mites, Amblyseius andersoni and Neoseiulus californicus, would feed on the mite. These are both generalist predators and it was not clear that they would take to the broad mite. Well, they both did, and especially the N. californicus dined on the pest. This is a confined feeding trial where the only thing the predators could feed on was the pest. So the next step is to go out in the field and see if they will knock the pest population down. That’s what we intend to do next week. With a group of PCAs, we’ll be out counting broad mite on lemons for the next several weeks to see if a predatory mite treatment can control the pest.
- Author: Ben Faber
In coastal lemons, there has been a major increase of broad mite and the damage it causes on fruit and leaves this year.
Broad mites are often found in depressions on fruit where the females lay their eggs, which are dimpled, translucent, and covered in white speckles. These mites are so small you need a hand lens to see them. Broad mites are yellowish in color and adult females have a white stripe on the back.
Broad mites feed on fruit and leaves, preferring young fruit up to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter that are located on the inside of the canopy or on the inward facing side of outer fruit. Feeding results in scarred tissue that cracks as fruit grows, leaving a characteristic pattern of scars and new tissue. Although most feeding occurs on fruit, broad mites may also feed on young expanding leaves causing them to curl. This cupping and curling of leaves can appear similar to mild damage caused by glyphosate-Roundup applications.
Broad mites are occasional pests of coastal lemons from late July through early October; infestations are enhanced by the presence of Argentine ants. This mite often occurs in conjunction with Citrus Rust Mite, with the rust mite usually predominating in number. Populations of broad mite tend to be most severe in warm, humid conditions such as found in greenhouses. No treatment thresholds have been developed for broad mite in citrus. If high and increasing populations warrant treatment, use miticides with the least toxicity to predaceous mites. The predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus appears to be a good biocontrol agent.
Check out the IPM website for a greater discussion of pesticides available for use on broad mite.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r107400311.html
Broad mite on fruit and the damage it causes to leaves.