With hot and dry weather conditions, come the first reports of twospotted spider mites showing up in soybeans.
“Typically we see spider mite populations later in the season, this is somewhat odd that we are seeing spider mite populations, small infestations, early in the season,” said Andy Michel, Extension field crops entomologist at the Ohio State University. “And when they are this early they usually start around the edge, but because soybeans are so small you can also see this stippling in the middle of the field, due to being wind-blown from the edges, so what we tell growers to watch out for is the sort of yellow stippling you see in the field.”
Reports of spider mites have been received from Western and Northwestern Ohio and until weather conditions change, Michel tells Brownfield spider mites will need to be monitored.
“Hopefully we’ll get some rain and not only will that be good for our crops and help with crop development, it will also really knock back spider mite populations,” the Extension field crops entomologist said.
Audio: Andy Michel< Extension field crops entomologist, Ohio State University (2:50 mp3)
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