News

Spider mites thriving in hot, dry conditions

Spider mites are thriving in soybean fields where it’s been hot and dry.

University of Minnesota Extension integrated pest management specialist Bruce Potter says populations are increasing and warrant treatment in some locations.

“Spider mites are always around and it’s a matter of this dry weather changing the nutrition quality of the soybeans, and the hot weather actually increases mite reproduction rates.”

He tells Brownfield spider mites first appear along the edges of soybean fields.

“You’ll see pockets where you’ve got plants that are looking a little stunted, there will be a little bronzing or yellowing on those leaves, you’ll start to see some lower leaf drop. And what you’re looking (to do) is protect that upper canopy on the soybean plants.”

Potter says pesticides are effective in controlling spider mites but farmers are down an option after chlorpyrifos was recently banned by the EPA.