Last night at the Young Farmer’s Meeting I got reports of spider mites around Pavo. We went out this morning and confirmed real small spots with active spider mites. The spots were very small and recent rains may have helped keep them down. With a couple of small hits, we were going to watch these areas since we still have 20 – 50 days to go.
However, in another field, we caught a much larger area newly infested with two-spotted spider mite. You can see some of the yellowing or stippling in the photo above. These are new, active infestations. We also saw the typical symptoms where the spider mites damage on the edge and kill the plants then spread out. The early hits appears yellowish from the road as if manganese deficiency. Once you walk out, its easy to see the spider mites’ webbing. Here’s Charles McMinn finding the initial hit.
Here is an up close of the webbing.
Two-spotted spider mites with webbing
Treatment
Although bifintherin has spider mites on its label, UGA does not recommend spraying ANY pyrethroid. We will see a short term kill, but they will come back once beneficial population is knocked out. UGA Extension Entomologist Dr. Mark Abney says we are better off not to spray anything than use a pyrethroid for spider mites. We need to use a miticide for treatment, such as Comite or Omite. Keep in mind that the miticide has to contact the spider mites. The Comite label will say to use 20 gal of water / acre with ground equipment. Also, we are not going to kill eggs, so these fields need to be checked 10 days or so after treatment.
With less rain expected this coming week, we need to watch for spider mites. With dry weather, they are going to be an issue. We have enough time for peanuts to go for them to cause a problem. Make sure you scout fields.
Thomas County Ag 