Pacific Spider Mite Control in the Lower San Joaquin

Valley

COLLABORATORS:  Mario Viveros, Farm Advisor, UCCE Kern Co.

Spider mite webbing in Almonds

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Spider mites are one of the most important arthropod pests of almonds in the lower San Joaquin Valley. Most growers have historically used two miticides per season to control this pest. Agri-Mek, a high VOC emitter which has implications on negative air quality while Omite (for worker safety issues) has the longest restricted entry intervals of about any pesticide available in any crop.

Since 2005 a total of 7 new miticides have been registered for use in almonds.  Each of these products has potential to help improve spider mite management while decreasing the dependence on Agri-Mek and Omite.  The objective of this project was to conduct large scale miticide trials to determine the best fit for each of these products in a working field-scale IPM program. The data showed that alternatives exist for both Agri-Mek and Omite, and further work will help flush out and fine tune the details of the use of each of these products.

Heavy spider mite infestation in Almonds

Close up of heavy spider mite infestation

Links

Pacific Spider Mite Control in the Lower San Joaquin Valley (80K pdf)

June 2008 Almond Newsletter Spider Mites (55K pdf)

New Miticide Mode of Action and Treatment Program Chart for 2007 (130K pdf)

Spider Mites in Almonds Report (2006 Almond Industry Conference Proceedings) (72K pdf)

 Pacific Spider Mite conrol in Almonds, 2006 (AMT 128K pdf)

Miticide Modes of Action Handout 2007 (54K pdf)