Petrobia latens
Pest description and crop damage The brown wheat mite is tiny, dark, and less than 0.03 inch long, with front legs longer than the body. Feeding mottles the leaves, giving them a bronzed, silvery, or (later) scorched appearance. Host plants include cereals, onions, carrots, alfalfa, iris, and gladiolus.
Pest monitoring Chemical controls are not generally recommended. However, application of chemicals for aphid control may lead to a build-up of mites, leading to the occasional need for an acaricide.
Management-chemical control: HOME USE
- azadirachtin (neem oil)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- insecticidal soap-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- plant-derived essential oils (rosemary, peppermint etc.)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- sulfur
Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE
- sulfur (Microthiol Disperss) at 3 to 10 lb product/a. PHI 0 days. REI 24 hr.