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The tomato russet mite thrives best at high temperatures and low humidity and multiplies rapidly under these conditions. As a result, this pest is often observed in the months of July and August. However, discovering it in the first affected plants often in the spring, is necessary to prevent it from becoming a real infestation.

By replacing the 2x lens pair of a standard stereo microscope with 4x lens pair, a magnification of 40x is created so that you can check your crop for the presence of tomato russet mites. When detection is prompt, the damage will still be minor. In this case, the tomato russet mite can still be treated locally. If there is damage to larger areas it is better to treat the complete crop. This prevents any mites from being left behind in the crop.

The big problem with the tomato russet mite is that this pest is often detected too late. It is therefore important to properly instruct your staff (especially harvesters and leaf pickers) so that they stay alert to the detection of this pest.

The damage caused by mites is manifested through various symptoms. The mites suck out the contents of plant cells, resulting in curled leaves that develop a silvery sheen on the underside. Eventually, the leaves become brown and brittle. In severe cases, tomato leaves and stems may lose their trichomes. The stems of affected plants turn a rusty brown color and can even break off in serious cases. The fruit can also be affected, resulting in coarse skin that turns reddish-brown, and sometimes deformity. The damage tends to occur primarily at the lower parts of the plant and spreads upwards as the mites move upward. The damage is most pronounced during periods of high temperatures when the population of mites grows rapidly and affected leaves dry out quickly.

Only a limited range of crop protection products are available to combat this pest. At this stage, Royal Brinkman does not (yet) offer natural enemies against the tomato russet mite. However, you can use chemical crop protection products chemical crop protection products. One good option for this is Oberon, which is safe to use with most biological pollinators (bumblebees) and natural control agents. Many growers also use sulfur spray such as Kumulus. Excessive repeated use of sulfur can have a negative effect on the biology. When using sulfur, there is a risk of residue on the crop. For an overview of all of the approved products for your crop cultivation, you can use the Spraying guide.

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