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Redlegged earth mites (Halotydeus destructor) remain active in several regions of Victoria. Researcher, John Roberts (cesar), has found high numbers of mites around Lake Bolac and Mortlake in the Western district, as well as near Shepparton and Elmore in the Northern Country district. Redlegged earth mites have also been observed in parts of the South West Slopes and Southern Tablelands districts of New South Wales. In the last few years there have been relatively few mites found this late in the season in some areas. The additional rainfall and milder temperatures experienced during spring appear to have facilitated mite survival this season.
Chemical control of redlegged earth mites can be timed to occur during spring before mites start laying diapause eggs (over-summering eggs that survive until next season). This approach, known as Timerite®, can significantly reduce mite numbers the following autumn. For most regions however, this ‘spray-date’ has passed and chemical sprays applied over the next few weeks are likely to be ineffective at reducing mite populations in 2011. Spraying for redlegged earth mites at this time of the year is therefore questionable, particularly in mature crops and pastures where mite feeding will generally not cause significant damage.
Click here for images of redlegged earth mites and refer to PestFacts Issue No. 9 for further information.
What is PestFacts?
PestFacts south-eastern keeps growers and advisers informed about invertebrate pests and beneficials in broadacre crops and pastures during the winter-cropping season in Victoria and southern New South Wales.
PestFacts south-eastern is run through IPMforGrains: Best Practice Insect Pest Management, a project delivered by the National Pest Information Network (cesar, DPIRD, QDAF, NSW DPI, and SARDI). This project aims to provide grain growers and advisors with information on invertebrate grain pest occurrence and equip industry with the knowledge needed to implement integrated pest management practices. This initiative is a GRDC investment and includes in-kind contributions from all project partner organisations.
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PestFacts is produced on an ʻas-needsʼ basis and relies upon pest observations and field reports from our subscribers. If you have recently observed invertebrate pests (or beneficial species) in broadacre crops, please contact us to report your observations.
Agricultural invertebrate identification
If you are a grower or agronomist in Victoria or NSW working with broadacre crops or pastures, we can assist you with identifying invertebrates found on farms at no cost. Please contact us for identification help.
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PestFacts map is an interactive tool that allows users to search and view historical pest reports across Victoria and NSW. The map is updated with each issue of PestFacts to include new reports.
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With appropriate acknowledgement, cesar grants permission to reproduce information taken directly from PestFacts. To cite PestFacts: “PestFacts south-eastern (<<enter date published>>). cesar pty ltd.”
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