Crops and Pasture Mites
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FEED PLANNING Crops and pasture mites Australia’s major mite pests are the redlegged earth mite (RLEM), blue oat mite (BOM), balaustium mite and KEY MESSAGES bryobia mite. In addition, brown wheat mite and two- spotted mite are also considered important pests Monitoring is essential for early however these are sporadic. Yields of many host plants detection of crop mites can be dramatically reduced by mite damage Early control of summer and autumn All of these mites look similar and can co-exist in the weeds within and around paddocks can same area. Monitoring is critical to accurately identify the help to control mite populations pests and control their population. The most commonly used techniques to monitor mites are visual assessments, Some mites are highly tolerant of pesticides, suction sampling, pitfall traps and germinating seed so correct identification is necessary baits. It is important to inspect crops, weedy areas and to apply the right control method pastures adjoining fence lines from autumn to spring for the mites and feeding damage. Source: Redlegged earth mite, Blue oat mite, respectively. Images: Cesar Source: Balaustium mite, Bryobia mite, respectively. Images: Cesar Table 1 Typically active period of mites in crops and pastures in Australia Mite species Jan Feb Mar Apr Mar May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec RLEM BOM Balaustium mite Bryobia mite Two-spotted mite Brown wheat mite Active periods Table 2 Guide to identify mites that could affect your crop and/or pasture based on their features, behaviours and hosts Crop and Distinctive Host Behaviour and Symptoms Treatment pasture mites features habits RLEM Globular shaped; All crops and Feeds on leaf Silvering or white Use Timerite® spray velvet black body pastures; legume surfaces in large discolouration date in Spring. Heavy seedlings, canola, groups unlike of leaves grazing in spring period lupins and other species will reduce carry over cereals are most population in autumn susceptible BOM Orange/red Wide range of Feeds on leaf Silvering or white High tolerance to range marking on back agriculturally surfaces singularly discolouration of pesticides, high rates important plants: or in very small of leaves are usually required for legume seedlings, groups control canola, lupin and Pesticides should be cereals are most applied within three susceptible weeks of the first appearance of mites Balaustium mite Pad like structure Pasture legumes, Typically attacks Irregular white No pesticides registered on forelegs lucerne, grasses, leaf edges and spotting or bleaching for Balaustium mites Body covered with canola, lupin, and leaf tips of plants of the leaves Early control of summer stout hairs some broadleaf and autumn weeds help weeds to control populations Bryobia mite Oval shaped, Clovers, grasses, Prefers clovers Distinctive trails of High tolerance to flattened dorsal lucerne, vetch, and medics over whitish grey spots on pesticides, high rates body that is dark canola, lupins grasses leaves are usually required for grey. Long front and wheat On grasses damage control legs up to 1.5 times is similar to RLEM Early control of its body length and BOM summer and autumn weeds helpto control populations Two spotted Darker green spots Wide range of Often found Bronzing speckled High tolerance to mite on either side of hosts and has clustered in appearance on the pesticides, integrated the body become a serious groups on upper surface of pest management pest on many the underside the leaf is required fruits, vegetables, of leaves trees, shrubs, Fine webbing herbs, herbaceous is visible on the perennials and lower leaf surface ornamental plants and many broadleaf weeds Brown wheat Their front legs are Common pest Feed on the tips of Stippling of the leaves Tend to be a problem mite distinctly longer of wheat, barley, the leaves Heavily infested fields in dry conditions than the other cotton however present a scorched Heavy winter rain reduces three pairs of legs it can also infest withered their population other non- Control may not be cultivated grasses cost-effective in drought affected crops FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Please visit feed.dairyaustralia.com.au The content of this publication including any statements regarding future matters (such as the performance of the dairy industry or initiatives Dairy Australia Limited ABN 60 105 227 987 of Dairy Australia) is based on information available to Dairy Australia at the time of preparation. Dairy Australia does not guarantee that E [email protected] the content is free from inadvertent errors or omissions and accepts no liability for your use of or reliance on this document. You should T +61 3 9694 3777 always make your own inquiries and obtain professional advice before using or relying on the information provided in this publication, F +61 3 9694 3701 as that information has not been prepared with your specific circumstances in mind and may not be current after the date of publication. dairyaustralia.com.au © Dairy Australia Limited 2020. All rights reserved. 1731.37 | Jan 2020.