Pest of the month: Bean spider mite

Month: May 2017

Pest of the month: Bean spider mite (Tetranychus ludeni)

Category name: Mites

Importance: Minor – sometimes important

Similar to: Two-spotted mite

Description: Egg: Minute, globular, almost transparent, can have reddish tinge. Immatures: Similar to two-spotted mite. Adult: Uniformly dark red, distinguishing it from two-spotted mite which is yellowish-green with two dark spots. In cooler climates the red overwintering phase of two-spotted mite is a lighter red than that of bean spider mite.

Damage: Feeds on underside of leaf and sometimes on upper surface. Leaves become mottled and bleached. Severe infestations can cause premature leaf fall. Damaging populations develop quickly in warm, dry conditions.

More Information: Further industry pest information is available at www.pestid.com.au

An initiative of the National Nursery Industry Biosecurity Program (NY15004) and the ‘Building the resilience and on-farm biosecurity capacity of the Australian production nursery industry’ Project (NY15002)