Drake Perrow, crop consultant in Cameron, SC, found spider mites in peanut today. For the obvious, yes this is early, and the more obvious, yes we are dry. Good things going for us now are the relatively cooler temperatures (low-mid 80s) this week, clouds, and the decent chance of rain hopefully we will receive. Especially if we get some rain, these conditions help a natural fungus to attack the mites and bring the population back down. Most likely a treatment this early will not be needed, but it will be important to keep an eye on fields, other crops included, particularly if we do not receive rain this week and if temperatures turn hot again 90+.
