Responses to "Mites damage baby fruit"
3-20-2007
Eriophyid mites that overwinter in and under buds have been known to cause this type of damage for some time. Peach silver mite and big-beaked plum mites are likely candidates. They also cause early stippling of emerging leaflets.
Dick Rice
These are spider mites, Tetranychidae. I think they are Pacific mites.
Devin Carroll
I have seen mites in almonds already, very heavy population of 2-spot or Pacific webbing the emerging leaf shoots on the lower trunk and scaffolds. The trunk and scaffolds were covered in webbing serving as a highway to the lower foliage. This is not widespread but serves as an indication mites are active early this year. Devin, did you actually find mites on the young fruit or nearby leaves?
Chris Morgner
I found the mites inside the jackets on the fruit. You can see one in the pictures on the website. There were also some mites nearby on leaves. I have a hunch we may see mite problems early this year, because of the heat.
Devin
Apparently Golden Pest Spray Oil (High Soybean Oil) has been used a fair amount on mites as an organic miticide on caneberries along the Coast. If you read the label...its an option on other crops. It has saponins and forms micelles...which can do a lot more than just smoothering the motiles. Don't know if that means much to you, but I just have been involved with the research.
Lance Beam