Guide for mites’ management on ornamentals

Mites are part of the Arachnida, a major class of arthropods. They are in the subclass, Acari hence the insecticides used to kill these pests are called acaricides. The Acari subclass consists of a wide range of Orders or groups of related mites – the main pest Order is the Prostigmata.

The most common mites species found in the greenhouse are:

• Red spider mite (or two spotted mite) Tetranychus urtica • Carmine spider mite Tetranychus cinnabarinus • Bulb scale mite Stenotarsonemus laticeps

Effect of temperature on population development of T .urticae on roses

Chemical control options from Syngenta

Syngenta offers several products for mites’ control with different modes of action to minimize the onset of insect resistance. Most acaricides provide some control of the Tetranychidae, whereas the Tarsonemidae and Eriophyidae may require acaricides with translaminar movement to complete the control of mites which are concealed in buds and tightly folded leaves. Control can be achieved through applications of selected miticides (Arima, Pegasus, Dynamec). Rotating chemical classes or modes of action is important for mites because of their rapid lifecycle. Their ability to have multiple generations per year aid populations to develop miticide resistance.

Trial Results

Control of Two Spotted Mites on carnations