Spider mite / Tetranychidae

A dangerous pest that damages more than two hundred species of cultivated plants. It includes about 1200 species.

They usually live on the underside of plant leaves, where they can weave protective silk webs, and they can cause harm by piercing plant cells for food.

From fruit and berry crops, forage plants are Apple, all stone fruits, gooseberries, strawberries and currants. Damaged leaves turn brown and dry. In different climatic conditions, it gives from 8 to 18 generations per year.

In spring, when the temperature rises to 12-14°C, females come out of winter shelters and settle on the underside of leaf blades. Hot, dry conditions are often associated with the accumulation of spider mite populations. Under optimal conditions (approximately 27 °C), a spider mite can hatch in just 3 days and become sexually Mature in just 5 days.

Soon, the female begins to weave a thick web of fine, silky threads and lay eggs in it. In 15-20 days, the female lays up to 150 eggs.

Proper use of Pheromone Traps:

The pheromone trap is designed to monitor and reduce pest numbers. In order to determine the population density of pest insects and to identify pest outbreaks (monitoring), it is recommended to use 1 trap per 1 ha.

The trap should be placed as near the culture at the middle of the plant.  Prior to the first flight of the thrips, the traps must be checked on a daily basis, and after the first thrips have been captured, the traps must be checked every 5-7 days. Pheromone dispensers can be changed after 4-6 weeks and sticky tapes can be replaced when is full with pests and dust. Protective measures are based on the results of the monitoring of population density of pest insects.

Trap placement:

For mass capture and sterilization of males, it is recommended to have more than 20 traps per hectare in opened field. In case of a large number of pest insects use 30 traps per 1 ha in opened field. In greenhouses it is recommended to have more than 15 traps per hectare. In case of a large number of pest insects use 20 traps per 1 ha.