What Are Rust Mites on Tomatoes?
Sometimes as gardeners, we have to put up with pests -- or diseases caused by those pests -- that don't allow us to fully enjoy the fruits of our labor. Rust mites, or russet mites as they are sometimes called, are part of the Eriophyidae family. The rust mite is a pest that must be taken care of if it happens to make its way to your tomato plants. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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A rust mite is a tiny yellow, worm-like pest with two pairs of legs that enjoys warm temperatures and can be found all over the world. Only 0.2 mm in length, it is nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. Most gardeners will recognize the rust mite by the damage it causes to tomato plant leaves.
Life Cycle
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The life cycle of this pest is short: It develops from an egg to an adult in less than a week. Rust mite populations start building in August and ramp up through December. These bugs can also live for a period extending from March through May.
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Damage
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Rust mites feed on the surface of tomato plants, living up to their name by causing a rusty or bronzed look on the leaves and stems. Symptoms first appear on the lower part of the plant, and as the infestation moves upward, leaf and stem tissues crack, dry up and turn brown. If not taken care of, the plant could eventually die. These mites are encouraged by the overcrowding of tomato plants in a garden.
Controlling Rust Mites
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A wettable sulfur dust, oils or a product called Difocol should be applied to the infected plants on a weekly basis, being careful to cover both the upper and lower leaf portions. Avoid such an application when temperatures are extremely hot. Destroy all infected plant residues after harvest, and never plant new tomato plants near the area where the infected crop occurred. You can also take care of rust mites early on by introducing another predator called Amblyseius andersoni, which are sold in sachets that are hung on the front of the infected tomato plants. These predators colonize and overtake the rust mites, preventing plant damage.
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References
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