CALIFORNIA AG SUPPLY

PREDATORY MITE NEWSLETTER

MAY 2004

The spring of 2004 has seen near record heat in the San Joaquin Valley. The crops are growing well ahead of schedule. Unfortunately so are the insect and mite pests. Web spinning spider mites are going to be a problem in 2004.

We believe in integrating the use of miticides with Predatory Mites. In the San Joaquin Valley the use of either alone often does not supply sufficient control for our long spider mite season. In tandem they will allow you to go the August 15 to 20 after which spider mites are usually not a economic issue (shorter daylight hours and higher night time humidity).

To successfully use Predatory Mites:

Realize it takes 10 to 14 days for the Predatory Mites to cycle through 1 or 2 generations (this is heat dependent) and start to build up their own numbers in the field.

When you apply Predatory Mites you are only “seeding” them into the field. The real value comes after they complete 2 or 3 generations and are present in sufficient numbers to be of real assistance.

That is why it is important to start with a low spider mite population (by either starting early in the year or first applying a miticide to reduce spider mite numbers).

The use of a trans-laminar miticide that has a long residual in the leaf tissue also limits the area where the Predatory Mite has to search. This also allows time for the Predatory Mites to build up populations as the foliage grows. In crops like grapes that continue to grow vegetatively this is an important consideration.

For assistance please contact California Ag Supply at info@californiaagsupply.com or call 559-281-5411.

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