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Spotting the two-spotted spider mite

March 23, 2021  By Biobest Group NV


Tetranychus urticae adult.

Did you know, one of the world’s most widespread pests, red spider mite – Tetranychus urticae – can be found in all agriculturally important geographical areas?

That tells us something about its polyphagous and cosmopolitan nature.

“Commonly known as two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), it characteristically has two large dark spots on either side of its back,” explains Biobest’s IPM and pollination specialist David Abeijon. “Capable of building up a population very quickly, especially in hot and dry conditions, the female mites can hibernate overwinter. In spring, when temperatures rise, they become active again and give birth to the next population.”

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Signs and symptoms

TSSM damage crops through feeding, which can lead to fruit and yield reductions.

“The main symptom, observed with the naked eye, is leaf yellowing,” explains Abeijon. “Initially pale-yellow spots can develop into a general yellowing – leading to stunted growth and even defoliation.

“As leaf symptoms are often easily visible, outbreaks can be confirmed by simply turning over the leaf to check for spider mites – as this is where they are generally found. However, it is advisable to find the pest before it produces any visible damage, so it is good practice to regularly monitor the underside of leaves.

“The pest often appears on older leaf tissue, before migrating upwards – colonizing newer leaves towards the apex of the plant,” continues Abeijon. “In high numbers, the spider mites often create webs – conferring some protection from crop protection chemicals and certain natural enemies. Congregating in the head of the plant, they wait for the wind – or mechanical means – to transport them to other hosts.”

Host range

Benefiting from a large host range, TSSM can be found on greenhouse vegetables – such as sweet pepper, tomato, cucumber and eggplant – as well as cut flowers including rose and chrysanthemum. It is also a major pest of most berry crops as well as cannabis and is an important pest of orchards and vineyards.

Non-crop plants can also be important hosts, so it is advisable to eliminate, or regularly scout, any weeds.

What it looks like

“Even though [they’re] small, TSSM are generally visible with the naked eye,” says Abeijon. “The adults range in colour from pale-yellow to brown, orange, red, or even green.”

He goes on to stress the importance of establishing the pest is TSSM – and not a different species – as the control solutions may differ.

“Telling TSSM apart from other spider mites, such as Lewis Spider Mite (Eotetranychus lewisi) – is usually a job for a specialist,” says Abeijon. “Physical differences – such as size, spots and even colour – are sometimes minimal.”

Life cycle

Female TSSM adults generally lay their eggs on the underside of leaves and occasionally on their webs. The larval stage has six legs while the two nymph stages, protonymph and deutonymph, have eight. The overwintering females, which turn orange or red, tend to be harder to control with beneficials or chemicals.

Solutions

There are a number of biological controls for TSSM.

Preventatively, predatory mites in sachets can be introduced to provide slow release – such as an Amblyseius californicus or Amblyseius andersoni breeding system.

For quick, curative action, there are loose predatory mite options available, such as the highly specific, voracious and mobile Phytoseiulus persimilisA. californicus and A. andersoni can also feed on other pests, as well as pollen.

There is also the highly mobile, predatory gall midge – Feltiella acarisuga. These adults hatch and fly off in search of TSSM hotspots where they lay their eggs. The larvae feed on various species of spider mite in any developmental stage.

Overall, good monitoring is key to control, and TSSM can be detected in a crop before any leaf yellowing appears.


To discuss a TSSM control strategy tailored to your crop and conditions, please contact your local advisor.


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