Species:
 
Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval)
   
Common name:
 
Webspinning mites
   
Pacific spider mites
   
Two-spotte spider mites
   
Strawberry spider mites
   
Damaging stage:
 
Nymphs and adults
   
Crops Affected:
 
Solanaceous, cucurbits, brassicas, legumes, papaya
   
Characteristic Damage:
 
Initial damage due to feeding appears as light dots on the leaves.
   
Continuous feeding leads to leaf yellowing which later turns to bronze or reddish-brown and drop off.
   
Webs are evident on plants infested with high population of red spider mites.
   
Management and Control:
 
Monitor the area regularly.
   
Prune heavily infested leaves and dispose properly.
   
Use natural enemies-predators such as six spotted thrips (Scolothrips sexmaculatus), spider mite destroyer lady beetle (Stethorus picipes),  minute pirate bugsbigeyed bugs, and lacewing larvae.
   
Spray botanical insecticides such as neem, hot pepper and kakawate extracts.
   
Apply insecticides such as abamectin (e.g. Agrimek®, Abamec®, Romectin 1.8 ECⓇ ,  AvidⓇ, OrtusⓇ, NissurunⓇ, AgriguardⓇ) alpha-Cypermethrin (e.g. FastacⓇ), lambda-Cyhalothrin (BidaⓇ, KarateⓇ, DescarteⓇ), dimethoate (e.g. Perfecthion®) or diazinon (e.g. Basudin®, Parapest®).
   
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_mite
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7405.html
 

 

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