Entomology of Strawberries
Testing of the “pest-in-first” method of establishing biological control of twospotted spider mite. We have been practicing and refining methods of seasonal inoculative releases of Phytoseiulus persimilis predatory mites since about 1990. Our traditional method involves scouting the crop until about 5%-8% of the strawberry leaflets are infested with one or more spider mites of any life stage. As the threshold is reached, about one predator is released per plant (depending on the size of the plants).
By the method now being investigated, about 17 plants per acre were selected and flagged on an about 50 foot x 50 foot grid. Early in the season, these plants were infested with twospotted spider mites and 2 weeks later with two P. persimilis predator mites. There is an expectation that predators will disperse from the flagged plants to new spider mite infestations as they occur throughout the field. The field is being monitored weekly to determine the status of spider mites and predators.
Development of new miticides for Florida strawberry. Various use patterns of new miticides and new uses of existing miticides are being evaluated in replicated field plots for effects on twospotted spider mites. Miticides composing the 18 treatments included in the evaluations are: Agri-Mek®, Savey®, GWN-1725, Floramite®, Valero and UCB 9906.
An integrated pest management program, designed by Dr. Jim Price of GCREC-Bradenton, uses biological, cultural, and chemical management tactics to reduce damage from twospotted spider mites, sap beetles, and other insects. Research at the Dover Center has resulted in development of comprehensive control procedures for insects and the cyclamen and twospotted spider mites. Specific measures also have been developed for the control of aphids, wireworms, thrips, and lepidopterous larvae. New pesticides continue to be introduced to improve pest control and reduce overall pesticide usage, and IPM scouting techniques have been developed for use in the industry.