Texas Citrus Mite and Yuma Spider Mite

Texas Citrus Mite and Yuma Spider Mite

COLLABORATORS: Beth Grafton-Cardwell, Entomology Specialist, UCR.

Texas citrus mite and Yuma spider mite are new pests of citrus in the lower San Joaquin Valley.  Both have been long-time residents of southern production regions in California, but are behaving differently in the San Joaquin Valley.  Our objective was to learn about these pests and to develop IPM programs to help control them.

Research on Texas citrus mite biology documented that this pest prefers to feed on the new flush, followed by the fruit.  Approximately 90% of the mite population is located in the outer canopy, which helps explain why treatments are so effective.  We also documented that significant increases in mite density on the leaves occurs in the early part of November, increases through November, and then decreases in December as temperatures cool.

Yuma spider mite miticide trials revealed that this species of mite was very susceptible to all miticides commonly used by growers.  Additional information on this pest could not be developed since it failed to show up in commercial production fields in Kern County during 2006.

Texas Citrus Mite and Yuma Spider Mite Documents

• Texas Citrus Mite Newsletter
• 2006 Citrus Research Board Mite Research Project Report