Suppression of the Two-Spotted Spider Mite on Peanuts¹

Abstract The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a major pest of peanuts in North Carolina. Mite populations increase during hot, dry weather and are especially destructive in August and September. The potential losses to peanuts due to mites prompted an investigation of the miticidal and ovicidal properties of fungicides and insecticides currently registered for peanuts as well as the evaluation of chemicals not registered on peanuts for control of the two-spotted spider mite. Plictran, Galecron, Trithion, Azodrin, Carzol, and Omite provided good suppression of the spider mite in field tests. Laboratory studies, using a five second dip technique, indicated Plictran, Galecron, and Trithion had good ovicidal properties. The fungicides Du-Ter and Benlate exhibited a low level of ovicidal action. Du-Ter recommended for leaf spot control gave good control of mites in the laboratory tests and suppressed mite buildup in greenhouse experiments.