Keeping tabs on spider mites in greenhouse strawberries

Added on 09 December 2021

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Keeping tabs on spider mites in greenhouse strawberries

Spider mites can cause extensive damage and reduce yields in greenhouse strawberries if not caught early in the season. Two-spotted spider mites are very tiny (0.4 mm) and usually light yellow with a distinct spot on either side of the abdomen. Spider mites have piercing-sucking mouthparts that cause damage as they feed on the plant cells. This feeding usually occurs on the underside of the leaf, making early detection more difficult. When populations are high, you may also be able to find small clear spherical eggs on the underside of the leaves.

Low levels of infestation and feeding cause a slight stippled look to the upper leaf surface. As infestations grow, the leaves become brittle with a bronze tint to them. Leaves can appear dirty and may be covered with webbing.

Early detection is important since research has proven that even low numbers of mites can reduce yields. Strawberries can tolerate higher numbers of spider mites as the season progresses. At this time of the season, the threshold for strawberries is five per leaflet, or 15 per leaf. As the season progresses, the threshold moves up to 20 per leaflet. Treating an infestation too late may control the pest, but will probably have little impact on yield.

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