Fruit tree spider mites are one of the pests that can cause a lot of damage to apple trees. Massive reproduction can occur, particularly in warm, dry summers. We'll show you how to recognize the red spider and how to get rid of the spider mites.
How can I fight spider mites in apple trees?
If the majority of the animals have already hatched in spring, you can greatly reduce the pest population byshowering with water. TargetedPredatory mites as well as predatory bugs, ladybirds and lacewings native to the garden support you in the successful fight against spider mites.
How do I recognize spider mites in apple trees?
You can recognize the red spider by itspear-shaped bodyand theeight legs that are usual for arachnids. Depending on the season, it is orange and vermilion red or colored light green.
Due to their size of only 0.6 millimeters, the pests are often difficult to see with the naked eye, especially since, unlike other spider mite species, they do not form webs. However, under the magnifying glass, the animals can be identified quite clearly.
How do spider mites develop in apple trees?
InWinterthe affected apple trees show abrownish coating, mainly in the furrows of the bark or near the buds. From these Winter eggs hatch intoyoung larvae in spring,which shed their skin several times and grow into adult spider mites.
In spring, this development takes about four weeks, but in summer it only takes seven to ten days, so that the number of adults can increase dramatically in the summer months. In warm weather conditions, up to seven generations of red spiders are created each year.
Why do spider mites damage the apple tree?
The fruit tree spider mites feed on the plant sap andsuckfor this purpose from the flowering periodon the foliage of the apple tree. This initially causes bronze-colored speckles to appear along the leaf veins. Since the leaf is no longer properly supplied with nutrients, they flow together and the leaves dry out. The result is premature shedding of leaves.
If there is a severe infestation, the sucking activity also leads to reduced shoot growth and a smaller size of the apples. In addition, there is often a reduced flower set in the following year.
How can I effectively combat fruit tree spider mites?
Checkalready in thewinter monthsall apple trees forwinter eggs. One is helpful here Magnifying glass with which you can examine the coverings.
- As soon as most of the spider mites have hatched in spring, rinse particularly the underside of the leaves thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- In stores you can get packages with predatory mites of the genus Typhlodromus pyri or Amblyseius californicus. These significantly decimate the number of mites.
- Incorporate beneficial insects such as predatory bugs, ladybirds and lacewings using suitable housing.
Tip
If possible, do not fight spider mites with chemical preparations
We advise against the use of pesticides against fruit tree spider mites, because the extremely useful predatory mites and other beneficial insects also fall victim to these products. This also applies to all insecticides based on natural plant oils. If use is unavoidable due to an extremely heavy spider mite infestation, it is recommended to release new predatory mites in the spring.
