Twospotted spider mites (Tetranycus urticae) are important pests of strawberries in South Carolina. They feed on leaves and occasionally directly in fruits, reducing number and quality of fruits produced by plants. Managing twospotted spider mites in strawberry fields can be challenging, especially under dry conditions when populations tend to increase rapidly.
Dr. Tom Bilbo, at Clemson University in collaboration with other vegetable entomologists across the southeastern USA, developed a quick-reference guide to support growers managing twospotted spider mites. The guide outlines field sampling methods within fields and presents established economic thresholds developed for both pre-flowering and post-flowering strawberry plants. When sampling indicates that mite populations have reached these thresholds, applying miticides is recommended to prevent yield losses.
The guide also summarizes the efficacy of synthetic and organic miticides, including their active ingredients, target life stages, efficacy, re-entry intervals (REI), pre-harvest intervals (PHI) and the maximum application per crop cycle.
The guide can be found below, but additional information on how to use the guide, as well as a free downloadable miticide handout, can be found on the SC Grower website.
