Small grain-Wheat curl mite

Eriophyes tulipae

Pest description and crop damage Tiny eriophyid mite, cigar-shaped but not visible to the naked eye, which causes, leaf rolling along the edges, and proliferation of florets and distortion of wheat heads. The pest is a vector of wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV), which can cause damage to small grains in some years. Late-planted spring and early-planted fall grains are susceptible to damage.

Management-cultural control

Mites require living host plants to survive. Control volunteer cereals and grassy weeds within and around fields, especially any fields with WSMV infection. This strategy is most effective when coordinated over a large area.

Management-chemical control

Chemical control is not available.