Essay --

The Effects of Cool- and Warm-Season Mites One of the most damaging, difficult to see and even harder to control invasive insect species is the mite. The vast majority of these plant-destroying insects fit into one of two categories: warm-season mites and cool-season mites. Both groups are characterized by their extremely small size and ability to swarm and damage plants quickly. Warm-season mites are only active during the spring and summer, while cool-season mites remain active throughout the colder days of spring and fall. Mite species are completely dormant in winter, though cool-season species can hatch on particularly warm days in January and February. Adult mites are generally oval-shaped and are less than a millimeter long. They often appear as very small red, white, green or brown dots, and can be difficult to detect against branches and leaves. One of the best ways to check for a cool- or warm-season mite infestation is to hold a sheet of white paper beneath a leaf and gently shake the branch. The tiny mites will drop onto the sheet and can be identified when they move. Plant-eating mites can be distinguished from predatory mites by squashing the mites and examining the streaks they produce. Green streaks indicate plant-damaging mites, while red or brown streaks indicate predatory mites. Predatory mites are helpful for controlling plant-eating mites, and should not be eradicated. Both cool- and warm-season mites affect a wide range of plants, including trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables and fruiting plants, and can pose a significant control issue when present on indoor plants. Mites damage trees by sucking chlorophyll directly from the leaves and needles of trees, hindering the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. ... ...eep your plants healthy and protected. Mites are prone to attacking stressed or sick plants, so keeping your trees and shrubs fertilized and well-watered is imperative for ensuring plant protection. Another effective method is to simply hose the plant down with a powerful stream of water. This technique dislodges the mites, but must be done 3- to 4-times a day over a sustained period of time. The use of insecticides, such as Abacideâ„ ¢ 2 from Mauget, is recommended when large infestations can be observed using the white paper technique. Abacide 2 is an injectable, closed-system insecticide formulated to prevent damaging insect infestations. Late summer and fall applications help bolster the plant’s defenses against spring attacks. Abacide 2 is safe for use on nurseries, orchards, woodland and ornamental trees, public parks and commercial or residential properties.