- Worldwide distribution. Citrus species. An important microscopic mite.
- Rind slightly rough, silvery (grapefruit and lemons), reddish or black (oranges). Small fruit, which stores poorly. Foliage turns bronze with heavy infestations. Worse on fruit on outside of tree.
- Eggs in pits in leaves or stems; nymphs and adults similar: yellowish, wedge-shaped; adults 0.15 mm long.
- Spread in rain splash, and over greater distances on wind currents, on birds, insects, machinery, clothing, or in the plant trade.
- Natural enemies: predatory mites (Amblyseius).
- Cultural control: none.
- Chemical control: use pesticides if damage is severe - use lime sulphur or wettable sulphur, leaving 30 days if also spraying oils (READ INSTRUCTIONS); alternatively, spot-spray with soap solution, horticultural or white oils (see Fact Sheet no. 56); or use abamectin. Avoid malathion and synthetic pyrethroids; they will kill predatory mites.
Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds - Online edition
Pacific Pests, Pathogens, Weeds & Pesticides
Citrus rust mite (344)
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Summary
Common Name
Citrus rust mite
Scientific Name
Phyllocoptrata oleivora; previously known as Eriophyes oleivorus.
AUTHOR Grahame Jackson and Mani Mua
1Information from Swaine G (1971) Agricultural Zoology in Fiji. Her Majesty's Stationery Office. London; and CABI (2017) Phyllocoptrata oleivora (citrus rust mite) Crop Protection Compendium. (www.cabi.org/cpc); and Mite pests of citrus (1983) Agfacts NSW Agriculture. (http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/138705/mite-pests-citrus.pdf); and Using petroleum-based spray oils in citrus (2005) Agfacts NSW Agriculture. (https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/137646/petroleum-sprays-citrus.pdf); and from Citrus rust mite (silver mite) UC/IPM. Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources. (http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FRUIT/PESTS/citrustmite.html). Photo 1 Don Ferrin, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Bugwood.org. Photo 2 Florida Division of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org.
Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
