| APPEARANCE: Tiny insect (1/64"
long) resembling a spider. Under magnification, the mite is dark reddish
to brown in color. Mites go through a larval and nymph stage before
becoming adults.
|
| HOSTS: Broadleaf evergreens, especially
azalea, camellia, holly and rhododendron.
|
| SEASON: Southern Red Mites are most
damaging from September through April.
|
| DAMAGE: Because they feed on leaf
surfaces, the color of leaves will indicate their presence. With light
infestations of mites, sap sucked from the leaves on the lower leaf
surface will result in white stippling, concentrated along the leaf
midrib. Heavy infestations, resulting in feeding damage on the upper and
lower leaf surface, will cause the leaf to turn gray or brown. If left
uncontrolled, southern red mites can cause the death of a heavily
infested plant.
|
| IPM: Because the southern red mites are
most active in cool weather, treatment for mite control can be applied
at the end of summer or through the winter. Foliar applications of
miticides at 2 week intervals may be needed to obtain control. For
organic pesticide control use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
Thorough coverage is important. Spray must contact pest to
effective. Chemicals currently approved for control of southern red
mites are acephate, bifenthrin, diazinon, and disulfoton. Follow the
manufacturer's direction carefully.
|
| COMMENT(S): If you think you have southern red mite, look on
the underside of the host plant leaves. Webbing and stippling along the
midrib can mean mites are there. Tap leaves over a piece of white paper
and look for moving, reddish spots. This indicates mites.
|
|
REFERENCE:
Baker, James R. (editor) 1980. Insect and related Pests of Shrubs.
Page 185. Pub. by North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, Raleigh
NC.
Williams-Woodward, Jean and Beverly Sparks (editors) 1998. Landscape
IPM Manual. Page 3-18. Pub. by UGA College of Ag. and Envionmental
Sciences, Athens GA.
Lindquist, Richard K. 1991. Identification of Insects and Related
Pests of Horticultural Plants. Page 27. Pub. by O.F. A. Services,
Columbus OH.
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