 |
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
||||||||||||
|
Predaceous Mites
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Adult European red mite (L.), western predator mite (C) and the smaller predator mite, Z. mali (R). |
Z. Mali feeding on European red mite egg |
Life Cycle: Overwinter as adults on or near fruit trees. Become active in spring and produce several generations per summer depending on temperature.
Monitoring: Visual inspection of leaves or leaf brushing for microscopic examination.
Hosts: All stages of plant-feeding mites.
Comments: The western predator mite, Typhlodromus occidentalis (Nesbitt), and Zetzellia mali are the two most common species of predaceous mites in B.C. They are distinguished from their prey by their larger size, pear-shaped body, and translucent colouration. Their eggs are opaque and oval whereas pest mite eggs are round. They are very active and fast moving compared to pest mites.
Body length: Adult - 0.25-0.4mm; Mature nymph - 0.2-0.38mm
| Previous | Index | Next |
