Acid Lime Pests
Citrus Mite
Symptoms
Leaf Damage:
- Discoloration: Feeding by citrus red mites causes leaves to develop a bronzed or reddish appearance due to the removal of chlorophyll.
- Leaf Drop: Severe infestations can lead to premature leaf drop, reducing the tree's photosynthetic capacity and overall vigor.
Fruit Damage:
- Fruit Scarring and Discoloration: Citrus rust mites feed on the surface of the fruit, causing a rough, russeted appearance, often called "russeting." This can affect the market value of the fruit, even though it does not usually affect internal quality.
- Distorted Fruits: Citrus bud mites cause malformation and distortion of fruit and flower buds. Affected fruits can be misshapen or undersized.
- Fruit Drop: Heavy mite infestations can cause fruit drop, especially in young, developing fruit.
Stem and Bud Damage:
- Stunted Growth: Feeding on new growth and buds can stunt tree growth and reduce flowering and fruit set.
- Bark Roughness: Citrus bud mite feeding can lead to roughening of the bark around buds and developing fruit, which can cause scarring and deformities.
Identification
Citrus Red Mite (Panonychus citri):
- Appearance: The citrus red mite is about 0.3–0.4 mm in size. Adults are reddish-brown with long hairs on their bodies. The eggs are round and reddish-orange.
- Behavior: These mites primarily feed on the upper surface of leaves, but they can also be found on fruit and stems. They are more active during cooler periods in spring and fall.
Citrus Rust Mite (Phyllocoptruta oleivora):
- Appearance: These mites are extremely small, about 0.1–0.2 mm, and are usually yellow or pale brown. They are difficult to see with the naked eye and are best observed with a magnifying glass.
- Behavior: Citrus rust mites prefer feeding on the fruit surface but can also be found on leaves and stems. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and are more common in summer and early fall.
Citrus Bud Mite (Eriophyes sheldoni):
- Appearance: Citrus bud mites are tiny, measuring about 0.1 mm, and are white or translucent. They have a worm-like body and are difficult to see without magnification.
- Behavior: These mites infest the buds, flowers, and developing fruits. They can cause deformation of the fruit and flower buds, leading to reduced fruit set.
Management
- Water Sprays: Regularly hosing down the trees with water can help reduce mite populations by physically washing them off leaves and fruits. This method is particularly useful in hot, dry conditions when mite populations can increase rapidly.
|
Insecticide |
Dosage |
|---|---|
|
0.3ml-0.5 ml/ltr |
|
|
for rust mite Sulphur 80% WDG |
2 gm/ltr |
