Strawberry mite control (Phytonemus pallidus)

The strawberry mite (Phytonemus pallidus) is a small mite, part of the tarsonemids mite family, which is found mainly in strawberry crops. Strawberry mites feeds on the sap of strawberry plants. The strawberry mites can cause significant damage to crops, reducing yields and decreasing the quality of the fruit. Additionally, strawberry mites can also spread diseases, which can lead to even greater losses for growers. In this article, our specialists will provide their advice and tips for controlling strawberry mites.
Jan-Paul de Wit
Product specialist Crop Protection | June 26, 2023 | 2 min. reading time
Strawberry mite control

Identify Strawberry mites 

An adult strawberry mite, at only 0.25 millimeters in size, is very small and cannot be seen with the naked eye. Use a magnifying glass to spot them. Besides the size of the tarsonemid mites, the mites are difficult to find because they live in closed bud leaves. Especially in small numbers, they are not easily detected. 

The body of strawberry mites is oval, flat and light brown in color. Both the eggs and the larvae of the tarsonemid mites are long and transparent white. The strawberry mite can be found in strawberry crops predominantly during the summer. Therefore, we recommend to take preventive measures to control this mite.

Damage symptoms of strawberry mites

The strawberry mite (Phytonemus pallidus) causes leaf deformities, resulting into bronzes leaves. On top of that, the buds of the strawberry plant might stop growing, which causes dwarfism and a loss in production of flowers and fruits. The mite stings the folded bud leadves and plant cells and sucks them dry. By releasing toxic saliva, leaves will be deformed. Tarsonemid mite are causing a significant loss of fruit yield. Therefore timely identification is extremely important.

Strawberry mite prevention

Prevention is better than cure strawberry mites (Phytonemus pallidus). Therefore, start cultivation with certified plant specimens and separate the young plants well away from the old plants to reduce the risk of contamination of the new plants. Cross infestation is a risk, therefore ensure that there is regular monitoring for contamination if cultivation continues. Effective business practice hygiene is also important because the strawberry mite can be spread by humans. Therefore, create a hygiene protocol for visitors and have measures in place to be used by your employees.

If you do come across an infected plant, remove it immediately in a closed plastic bag to reduce the possibility of further spread. Then, do not work away from this point, but towards this point. If some plants at this point did become contaminated, this approach lets you reduce the risk of further spread as much as possible. 

Strawberry mite control 

Strawberry mites are hard to treat chemically because they hide in the plants’ foliage. For a summary of approved substances in strawberry crops, see the Spray reference guide. Therefore, we recommend to use biological control. Predatory mites are mostly used to control tarsonemid mites on strawberries. Amblyseius cucumeris is mostly used to control this mite. On top of that, you can also use the predatory mites Amblyseius andersoni and Transeius montdorensis.
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Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Jan-Paul de Wit will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.

Strawberry mite control (Phytonemus pallidus)

The strawberry mite (Phytonemus pallidus) is a small mite, part of the tarsonemids mite family, which is found mainly in strawberry crops. Strawberry mites feeds on the sap of strawberry plants. The strawberry mites can cause significant damage to crops, reducing yields and decreasing the quality of the fruit. Additionally, strawberry mites can also spread diseases, which can lead to even greater losses for growers. In this article, our specialists will provide their advice and tips for controlling strawberry mites.
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Jan-Paul de Wit
Jan-Paul de Wit
Product specialist Crop Protection | June 26, 2023 | 2 min. reading time
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Strawberry mite control

Identify Strawberry mites 

An adult strawberry mite, at only 0.25 millimeters in size, is very small and cannot be seen with the naked eye. Use a magnifying glass to spot them. Besides the size of the tarsonemid mites, the mites are difficult to find because they live in closed bud leaves. Especially in small numbers, they are not easily detected. 

The body of strawberry mites is oval, flat and light brown in color. Both the eggs and the larvae of the tarsonemid mites are long and transparent white. The strawberry mite can be found in strawberry crops predominantly during the summer. Therefore, we recommend to take preventive measures to control this mite.

Damage symptoms of strawberry mites

The strawberry mite (Phytonemus pallidus) causes leaf deformities, resulting into bronzes leaves. On top of that, the buds of the strawberry plant might stop growing, which causes dwarfism and a loss in production of flowers and fruits. The mite stings the folded bud leadves and plant cells and sucks them dry. By releasing toxic saliva, leaves will be deformed. Tarsonemid mite are causing a significant loss of fruit yield. Therefore timely identification is extremely important.

Strawberry mite prevention

Prevention is better than cure strawberry mites (Phytonemus pallidus). Therefore, start cultivation with certified plant specimens and separate the young plants well away from the old plants to reduce the risk of contamination of the new plants. Cross infestation is a risk, therefore ensure that there is regular monitoring for contamination if cultivation continues. Effective business practice hygiene is also important because the strawberry mite can be spread by humans. Therefore, create a hygiene protocol for visitors and have measures in place to be used by your employees.

If you do come across an infected plant, remove it immediately in a closed plastic bag to reduce the possibility of further spread. Then, do not work away from this point, but towards this point. If some plants at this point did become contaminated, this approach lets you reduce the risk of further spread as much as possible. 

Strawberry mite control 

Strawberry mites are hard to treat chemically because they hide in the plants’ foliage. For a summary of approved substances in strawberry crops, see the Spray reference guide. Therefore, we recommend to use biological control. Predatory mites are mostly used to control tarsonemid mites on strawberries. Amblyseius cucumeris is mostly used to control this mite. On top of that, you can also use the predatory mites Amblyseius andersoni and Transeius montdorensis.
Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Jan-Paul de Wit will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.
Jan-Paul de Wit
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