Wheat Curl Mite
Wheat Curl Mites
(G. Hein, University of Nebraska)
Wheat Mosaic Virus vectored by Wheat Curl Mites (cropwatch.unl.edu)
HOSTS
- Wheat
- Corn
- Other Grasses
OVERVIEW
The wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella) are an important vector of plant diseases, most notably being Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus (WSMV).DESCRIPTION
Adults are tiny, only about 1/100 inch (.25 mm) long. Immatures are smaller than adults. Both adults and nymphs are white with cigar-shaped bodies and four legs near their heads.BIOLOGY
Egg | Nymph | AdultAdults lay their eggs along leaf veins. After hatching, nymphs will undergo to larval stages before becoming adults. In warm weather, it can take as little as 10 days to complete a generation.
SYMPTOMS
Wheat curl mites prefer new leaf growth, and can often be found feeding on newly emerged foliage. Feeding will cause the leaves to roll, sometimes trapping the grain head.GENERAL MANAGEMENT
- Remove all volunteer wheat and grasses as they can serve as alternative hosts for the mites.
INSECTICIDES
Coming SoonPrecautionary Statement: Utah State University and its employees are not responsible for the use, misuse, or damage caused by application or misapplication of products or information mentioned in this document. All pesticides are labeled with ingredients, instructions, and risks, and not all are registered for edible crops. “Restricted use” pesticides may only be applied by a licensed applicator. The pesticide applicator is legally responsible for proper use. USU makes no endorsement of the products listed in this publication.