Showing posts with label pearleaf blister mite. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pearleaf blister mite. Show all posts

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Pearleaf Blister Mite - no need to spray now!

The pearleaf blister mite has been feeding on pear leaves all season.  The damage it causes is minor even though the leaf below appears to be devasted by this mite.  At this time of year there is no reason to spray as the leaves will be dropping soon anyway. 

Under side of the leaf

You can prevent this damage from being severe by treating your pear trees with a dormant oil spray in the spring just as the buds start to swell and the first hint of green appears.  For a more indepth spray guide, check out the publication at  http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/02800.html.

Upper surface of the leaf.
These mites live inside the leaf between the upper and lower surfaces.  To see how they get into the leaf check out http://swiftsgardeningblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/brown-spots-on-pear-leaves.html.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Brown spots on pear leaves



The brown spots on pear leaves are seldom the result of a fungus but due to an eight-legged eriophyid mite called the pearleaf blister mite. This mite is about one-quarter the size of a spider mite but you can see them with a 14 to 20X hand lens.

This pest feeds between the upper and lower tissue of the leaf. The spots are slightly raised and each has a tiny hole somewhere near its center. The mites enter these holes and feed on the soft tissue inside.

The photo shows several leaf blisters. The one in the upper left has an eriophyid mite emerging from a hole.

This mite also damages the fruit causing oval russet spots. Management includes the use of dormant or delayed dormant oil in the spring. The mite overwinters at the base of buds or under the outer bud scales. Apply the oil until it runs off the tree.

At this time of year, unless you are a commercial orchardist, I would suggest an insecticidal soap or a vigorous washing down of the tree with a hose. Make sure the water you use is cool or cold and not hot! Weekly washing would not hurt. Avoid the use of insecticidal soap and other insecticides during the heat of the day. Late evening or early morning treatments are more effective and cause less burning on foliage.