Control
Chemical
- Miticides or horticultural oils are effective at controlling most mites.
- Oils are compatible with an IPM program, though oils do kill some beneficial wasps and suppress beneficial mite populations. However, residues do not persist.
- Always check the label before spraying, as not all oils are registered for use in citrus.
Biological
- A range of naturally occurring predators attacks mites in Western Australia. These include predatory mites, mite-eating ladybirds and lacewing larvae.
- Mite-eating ladybirds (mostly Stethorus species) can be distinguished from other ladybirds by their small size (1-1.5mm long) and black colour. Both the adults and larvae are mite predators.
- The predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis feeds on two-spotted mite and is available commercially for release.
Acknowledgements
Thresholds used in this information were taken from Citrus pests and their natural enemies: integrated pest management in Australia, edited by D Smith, GA Beattie and RH Broadley, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, 1997.