How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Strawberry
Cyclamen Mite
Scientific Name: Phytonemus pallidus
(Reviewed 6/08,
updated 6/08)
In this Guideline:
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At low population densities, cyclamen
mites (Family Tarsonemidae) are usually found along the midvein of young, unfolded
leaves and under the calyx of newly emerged flower buds; when populations
increase, these mites can be found anywhere on nonexpanded plant tissue. They
are not visible to the naked eye, and when mature, they measure only about 0.01
inch (2.5 mm) long. Mature mites are pinkish orange and shiny. The hind legs
are thread- or whiplike in the female and grasping or pincerlike in the male.
Eggs are translucent and comparatively large.
Adult females lay about 90 eggs, 80% of which develop into
females. During summer, newly hatched mites develop into mature adults within 2
weeks. Populations build rapidly soon after a field becomes infested. Cyclamen
mites overwinter as adult females in the strawberry crown and can be present on
transplants if the nursery field was infested.
Cyclamen mite can be distinguished under magnification from
nondamaging tarsonimid mites in the genus Tarsonemus by examining the 4th femur of male mites. The
cyclamen mite has a "flange" or distinct bulge present while the
males of both Tarsonemus species do not.
Cyclamen mites are primarily pests in fall-planted and second-year
plantings, but they can be transplanted into first-year fields and the damage
symptoms become apparent on leaves as the season progresses. Leaves heavily
infested with cyclamen mites become severely stunted and crinkled, resulting in
a compact leaf mass in
the center of the plant. Feeding on flowers can cause them to wither and die.
Fruit on infested plants is dwarfed, and the seeds stand out on the flesh of
the berry. When uncontrolled, this mite can prevent plants from producing
fruit.
Management of cyclamen mite requires carefully timed sprays of
miticides that do not harm natural enemy populations. Prevent its introduction
into strawberry fields by following good cultural practices. Propagating
nursery stock free of cyclamen mites is essential to prevent introducing
populations to fruit-producing fields. This mite may survive in furrows of
fields that have been bed fumigated. Because other nondamaging tarsonemid mite
species, including Tarsonemus setifer and Tarsonemus confusus, occur in strawberry fields and it is very difficult
to distinguish one species from another, focus control efforts in those fields
where damage symptoms occur.
Biological Control
Two naturally occurring predatory mites of cyclamen mite are Typhlodromus bellinus and T. reticulatus, but their populations build up too slowly to
provide economic control. Early season releases of the commercially available
predatory mite, Amblyseius californicus, may be able to control this pest mite. Amblyseius
cucumeris releases have not proven to be effective.
When pest populations become large, the sixspotted thrips, minute pirate bugs, and western
predatory mite (Galendromus occidentalis) all feed on cyclamen mites.
Cultural Control
Cyclamen mites can easily be transferred from one location to another by
pickers, bees, birds, and equipment, including strawberry freezer trays. It may
be worthwhile to dip trays of long-term cold storage (28°F) transplants into a
hot water bath for 7 minutes right before planting to prevent infestation.
(Infested nursery plants are the major source of this pest in annual plantings;
be sure to use uninfested nursery stock.) Prepare plants for this treatment by
thoroughly washing them to remove all dirt; then place them in a circulating
water bath that is held at a constant temperature of 120°F. Afterwards, submerge
them in very cold water and then plant them as soon as possible. (This
treatment is not recommended for fresh-dug transplants that have only been
stored at 33°F.) Avoid second-year plantings in problem areas. To slow the
spread of infestations, rogue infested plants as soon as symptoms appear.
Organically Acceptable Methods
Biological and cultural control methods are acceptable for use on
organically certified strawberries.
Monitoring
and Treatment Decisions
If any damage symptoms are observed, be sure to monitor the rest of
the field carefully to determine the extent of the infestation. Monitor newly
unfolding leaves and treat the area of the field believed to be infested when
densities of one cyclamen mite in 10 leaves are found. To control cyclamen
mites, a high rate of water per acre (300–500 gal) is necessary to soak
the folded leaves and immature flower buds located in the crowns. Effective
control requires a high rate of kill because populations of this mite can increase
rapidly. Roguing and treating infested hot spots with a hand-sprayer can be
useful in suppressing infestations without having to treat the entire field. In
nurseries, early season control before plant canopy closes over is critical.
| Common name |
Amount/Acre |
R.E.I.+ |
P.H.I.+ |
| (trade name) |
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(hours) |
(days) |
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| The following materials are listed in order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy and impact on natural enemies
and honey bees.
When choosing a pesticide, also consider information relating to
environmental impact.
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| A. |
ABAMECTIN* |
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(Agri-Mek) 0.15 EC |
16 fl oz |
12 |
3 |
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MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 6 |
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COMMENTS: Toxic to predatory mites and relatively toxic to
parasites, but fairly safe for general predators. Apply in up to 600 gal
water/acre to soak the material into the crown of the plant. Works poorly
under cold weather conditions. Make 2 applications 7–10 days apart when
mites reach detectable levels under warmer temperatures in late
winter/spring. Repeat this sequence of applications if necessary to maintain
cyclamen mite control. Do not exceed 16 fluid oz/acre/application or 64 fl oz
(4 applications)/acre in a growing season. Do not repeat treatment within 21 days of 2nd application. Not registered for strawberry nurseries. |
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| B. |
DICOFOL |
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(Kelthane) 50WSP |
3–4 lb/acre |
48 |
3 |
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MODE OF ACTION: UNC |
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COMMENTS: Apply with a wetting agent. Toxic to predaceous mites
and relatively toxic to general predators and parasites. Do not make more than 2 applications/season. |
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| C. |
ENDOSULFAN* |
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(Thionex) 3EC |
2.66 qt in 400–600 gal water |
48 |
4 |
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MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 2A |
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COMMENTS: Do not reapply within 35 days. Use of this product may
not be allowed in some counties; cannot be applied in any situation where
run-off may occur. Consult county agricultural commissioner for local
restrictions. Do not make more than 3 applications/year or exceed 3 lb a.i./acre/year. |
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| D. |
FENPROPATHRIN* |
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(Danitol) 2.4EC |
10.66 fl oz |
24 |
2 |
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MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 3 |
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COMMENTS: Use of this material is limited to 2 applications/year
(totaling 2.66 pt/acre), but to reduce the pressure for resistance
development, make no more than 2 applications of all pyrethroids to the crop each year. |
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| E. |
ACEQUINOCYL |
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(Kanemite) 15 SC |
21–31 fl oz |
12 |
1 |
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MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: UNC |
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COMMENTS: Control does not become evident until 48 to 72 hours
after application. Do not use less than 100 gal water/acre and do not apply
more than twice/year. Allow a minimum of 21 days between treatments. Crops
other than strawberries may not be rotated for at least 1 year following treatment. |
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UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Strawberry
UC ANR Publication 3468
Insects and Mites
F. G. Zalom, Entomology, UC Davis
M. P. Bolda, UC Cooperative Extension Santa Cruz Co.
P. A. Phillips, UC IPM Program/UC Cooperative Extension Ventura Co.
Acknowledgment for contributions to the Insects and Mites:
N. C. Toscano, Entomology, UC Riverside
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