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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wapato, Washington » Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #403689
Research Project: Integrated Approach to Manage the Pest Complex on Temperate Tree Fruits

Location: Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research

Title: Control of brown mites in apple with miticides, 2020

Author
item Moretti, Erica
item HANEL, ALDO - Washington State University
item Schmidt, Rebecca

Submitted to: Arthropod Management Tests
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/17/2023
Publication Date: 9/2/2023
Citation: Moretti, E.A., Hanel, A., Schmidt-Jeffris, R.A. 2023. Control of brown mites in apple with miticides, 2020. Arthropod Management Tests. 48(1)2023:tsad 109. https://doi.org/10.1093/amt/tsad109.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/amt/tsad109

Interpretive Summary: Brown mites are becoming a more common pest problem in Washington apples. There is currently little information on which pesticides are the most effective for its control. Researchers at the USDA-ARS laboratory in Wapato, WA and Washington State University tested nine pesticides for brown mite control. Acramite, Fujimite, and Envidor had consistently the lowest mite counts. Nealta was not effective at any time point.

Technical Abstract: Brown mite (Bryobia rubrioculus Scheuten) control using foliar miticide treatments was evaluated on a research orchard outside of Moxee, WA. Miticides were tested as single tree treatments, with five replicates per treatment. Mites were monitored by collecting a 100-leaf brush count sample from each tree at 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 42 days after treatment. Differences between treatments were first observed at 7 days after treatment. The miticides exhibiting the best quick knockdown of brown mite were Acramite, Onager, Fujimite, Zeal, and Envidor. Throughout the trial, Acramite, Fujimite, and Envidor had consistently the lowest motile mite and egg counts. Nealta almost never differed from the check, indicating that this miticide is not effective for brown mite management.