False spider mites in rare fruit
David Astridge and Harry Fay, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
- Eggs and adult false spider mite (Brevipalpus sp.)
Description
Adult
The adults are red and flat, and about 0.25 mm long, with 2 pairs of short legs at the front of the body and 2 pairs of short legs flanking the narrow abdomen.
Immature stages
The eggs are red and oval, and usually laid singly near the main veins on the undersides of leaves. Nymphs are similar in shape to the adults.
Life history
False spider mites are slow-moving and are occasionally seen on the undersides of leaves and on leaf stalks in dry weather in summer. They do not spin a web.
Distribution
Subcoastal and coastal Queensland.
Host range
Citrus, orchids, passionfruit, papaws, rambutans, durian and mangosteen.
Management
Importance
Minor and infrequent pest.
Damage
Infestations occur mainly during hot dry weather and cause scarring and discolouration of maturing fruits, which become unmarketable. Generally damage is uncommon, but the mites blemish orange fruits, tending to infest areas of the fruit surface already damaged by insects. In Florida, false spider mites have been associated with the diseases known as "leprosis", "Florida scaly bark" and "nailhead rust" which cause lesions on fruits, leaves and bark.
Action level
Predatory mites are usually active amongst false spider mite infestations. However, if considerable fruit losses are occurring treatment is warranted.
Control methods
Biological
Predatory mites usually keep populations in check except when weather conditions are wet.
Chemical
Spray
Recommended chemicals
It is the user's responsibility to ensure that registered agricultural chemicals are used in accordance with legal requirements. Always read the label.
Check the Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au for products that are currently registered for control of flower-eating caterpillars on the host plant.
Further information
Contact the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23 - local call 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday (non-Queensland residents phone 07 3404 6999). E-mail: callweb@dpi.qld.gov.au
Visit the DPI&F website www.dpi.qld.gov.au for other DPI&F notes
Contact the DPI&F bookshop on 07 3239 3772 or DPI&F Shop-Online or at some DPI&F offices throughout Queensland for the DPI&F publications
Infopest CD-ROM contains current national information on registered agricultural chemicals and is available from Infopest, DPI&F, GPO Box 46, Brisbane Qld 4001 or by email from infopest@dpi.qld.gov.au
Recommended Reading: Swaine, G., Ironside, D.A. and Corcoran, R.J. 1991, Insect pests of fruit and vegetables, 2nd Edition, Queensland Department Primary Industries, Information Series QI91018.
Other contacts:
Growers interested in the production of minor tropical fruits can join their local branch of the Rare Fruits Council and subscribe to their newsletter. Contact the Rare Fruits Council at PO Box 1375 Aitkenvale 4814
The DPI&F library provides a personalised information search service that may be useful for producers seeking information on minor and exotic crops. Contact DPI&F InfoSearch on 07 3239 6989.
Information contained in this publication is provided as general advice only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought. The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland has taken all reasonable steps to ensure the information in this publication is accurate at the time of publication. Readers should ensure that they make appropriate inquiries to determine whether new information is available on the particular subject matter.
Last updated 31 January 2007