— by Dr. Raymond Cloyd
The extreme heat and lack of moisture we are experiencing throughout most of Kansas is conducive to the development of the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Figure 1),
Figure 1. Close-up of twospotted spider mite adult (Author–Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
horticultural plants in gardens and landscapes (Figures 2 and 3).
Figure 2. Twospotted spider mite feeding damage on clematis leaf (Author–Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Figure 3. Twospotted spider mite feeding damage on tomato leaves (Author–Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Twospotted spider mite is a warm-weather mite with populations typically active from late spring through early fall. Summer temperatures allow by producing multiple generations throughout the season.
The management of twospotted spider mite populations involves maintaining plant health in order to avoid ‘stress,’ implementing sanitation practices, and/or using pesticides with miticidal activity (miticides/acaricides). First, prevent plants from experiencing moisture ‘stress’ by maintaining proper watering and mulching practices to reduce potential problems with twospotted spider mite populations. For example, inadequate moisture or overfertilizing plants, particularly with nitrogen-based fertilizers, can enhance development and reproduction of twospotted spider mites. Furthermore, be sure to monitor for twospotted spider mite populations regularly by shaking branches or twigs onto a clipboard with a white sheet of paper, and looking for the mites crawling around (you can actually see the mites). You can crush the mites on the white sheet of paper to determine if they are a pest or not. For instance, plant-feeding spider mites typically leave a green streak when crushed whereas predatory mites leave a red streak. A quick and effective method of dealing with twospotted spider mite populations is applying a forceful water spray throughout the plant canopy at least twice per week during the season. Forceful water sprays will dislodge eggs and the motile life stages (larvae, nymphs, and adults). Be sure to direct forceful water sprays toward the leaf undersides where all life stages (eggs, nymphs, larvae, and adults) of the twospotted spider mite are located. The removal of plant debris and weeds eliminates alternative hosts and overwintering sites.
There are a number of pesticides with miticidal activity available to professionals for suppression of twospotted spider mite populations outdoors, including: abamectin (Avid), acequinocyl (Shuttle), bifenazate (Floramite), etoxazole (TetraSan), hexythiazox (Hexygon), potassium salts of fatty acids (M-Pede), and horticultural oils (petroleum, mineral, or neem-based). Homeowners do not have as many options in regards to miticides. The only “true miticide” still available is hexakis or fenbutatin-oxide, however, this active ingredient cannot be purchased by itself as the active ingredient is usually formulated with acephate (Orthene). However, homeowners can apply commercially available insecticidal soaps (potassium salts of fatty acids) and horticultural oils. Always read the label and apply miticides before twospotted spider mite populations are extensive and causing damage. Furthermore, be sure to rotate miticides with different modes of action to avoid twospotted spider mite populations developing resistance. If possible, try to target ‘hot spots’ or localized infestations of twospotted spider mites, which will reduce the potential for resistance developing. Be sure to thoroughly cover all plant parts with spray applications; especially when using pesticides with contact activity. Some miticides such as abamectin (Avid) and etoxazole (TetraSan) have translaminar activity, which means the material penetrates into leaf tissues and forms a reservoir of active ingredient within the leaf. This provides residual activity even after spray residues have dried. Mites that feed on leaves will ingest a lethal concentration of the active ingredient and be killed.
It is important to note that many pesticides used to suppress other insect pests encountered on plants in landscapes and gardens may be harmful to the natural enemies of twospotted spider mite; consequently, resulting in an inadvertent increase in twospotted spider mite populations or secondary pest outbreaks.