European red mite—Panonychus ulmi
Immature mites are bright red, except just after molting, when they appear bright green. The green color
turns to red after the mites resume feeding. Adults are dark red and have white spots at the base of the
long hairs on the back.
Life cycle
Damage
Mite feeding causes leaves to lighten in color, becoming mottled or stippled. Prolonged feeding by heavy
populations eventually causes leaf bronzing or burning and may result in defoliation and a decrease in
yield.
Solutions
Numerous predators feed on red mites. In-season sprays for red mites are not usually necessary or advisable
in the home orchard. A supreme or superior-type oil
spray during the delayed dormant period just as eggs
are about to hatch should keep European red mites below damaging levels if predators are not disrupted
by sprays for other pests. Water, oils, or soap
sprays can be used to knock mites off small trees.
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European
red mite adult
Stippling
on leaf surface caused by red mites
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