Posts Tagged: Mites
Guide to Predatory Mites
Key to the Phytoseiid Predatory Mites Found on California Crops
Key to the Phytoseiid Predatory Mites Found on California Crops
Predatory mites in the family Phytoseiidae are known throughout the world in agricultural crops as important predators of pest mites, especially the spider mites (Tetranychidae), as well as small insects such as thrips, psyllids, scales, aphids, and whiteflies.
Detailed line drawings illustrate descriptions of each mite species, and a separate appendix included in the download contains photos of key characteristics of slide-mounted mites taken through a compound microscope. The interactive appendix, includes photos of forty-five of the forty-six mite species found in the key.
For the majority of mite species, photos of the dorsum, venter, ventrianal shield, spermatheca, and chelicera are provided. For some species, additional photos are included for structures that are especially important for confirming identification, such as the peritreme, macrosetae, pores, and dorsal shield indentations.
This free publication is available by download. The publication and the appendix are included in a zip file. Please note this is a large, 36MB file
This publication is best viewed using the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader. You can download a free copy of the Acrobat Reader from Adobe Systems Incorporated.
predatory mite
UC Davis Bee Lab: Setting for KQED's 'Deep Look' Video on Varroa Mites
The filming of varroa mites in KQED's newly released Deep Look...
A screen shot of UC Davis bee scientist Elina Lastro Niño from KQED's Deep Look video, "Varroa Mites Are a Honeybee's 8-Legged Nightmare."
Sascha Nicklisch: Targeting the Varroa Mite
UC Davis environmental toxicologist/biochemist Sascha Nicklisch will discuss how to disarm the...
A varroa mite on a foraging honey bee. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Agave Mite
Implications for tequila growers
Agave are a common sight in Southern California and are frequently used in landscaping for homes, businesses, and in public spaces. You've almost certainly seen agave growing in your neighborhood and may even have some growing yourself. Many varieties of agave are grown in San Diego nurseries to keep pace with the demand for these plants across the state and country. As the climate continues to warm and California becomes increasingly dry, hardy and water-conscious plants like agave will more frequently be used in xeriscaping and as ornamentals. However, there is an almost invisible enemy that threatens many of these agave plants. Greasy streaks and smudges appear on leaves, followed by lesions and plant decline. Sometimes, the entire core of the agave collapses. The plants look sickly and unattractive, dismaying homeowners and nursery growers alike. What is causing this damage? Mites.
Agave mites are a difficult pest to manage and can be a serious problem on multiple types of agave. Being proactive and removing infected plants is currently the best way to protect your agave from mite infestations. Recognizing agave mite symptoms and being ruthless with eliminating plants is key to preventing damage. Research on management options is just beginning and there are still many unknowns, so please contact us if you are having issues with agave mites at your nursery, if you have questions, or if you think there is something we should know about. Stayed tuned for future results and hopefully some better news on how to manage this tiny menace!
agave mite damagwe
Fun with Bug Identification
There is a lot of variety in the job of a farm advisor. Some days I'm working with water quality....