Pest Collection – Citrus Bud Mite (deformed fruit)
Common Name: Citrus Bud Mite
Scientific Name: Eriophyes sheldoni
Order: Acarina
Host plant where found: Lemon tree (Citrus limon) in an ornamental garden setting.
Host range or situation where pest is usually found: Citrus trees
Damaging stage (s): Both nymphs and adults feed by sucking sap from leaves.
Direct feeding damage: Severely deformed fruit
Indirect damage: None observed and none noted
Method of feeding: Both adults and nymphs have piercing and sucking mouthparts.
Life cycle: Gradual metamorphosis – eggs, several nymphal stages, adult nymph.
Spread: By crawling from plant to plant. By wind, birds or insects. By movement of infested plant material.
Conditions favouring: Warm weather, both dry and humid.
Distinguishing features for identification: Very small- 0.2mm in length, elongated tapered body, only two pairs of legs located at head. Could only identify with 40 x magnification due to small size.
Control options available for this situation: Miticide such as Calibre; (hexythiazox); organic oil based mite treatments
Identification reference (including page no): Plant protection 3, f 39 and f 46; Plant protection 1, 199 – 205
The above information was kindly donated by Werner (Horticulturalist)
