Citrus Red Mite
Panonychus citri
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameCitrus Red Mite
DescriptionCitrus red mites cause leaves to appear dusty, silvery, or bronzed by sucking out chlorophyll. Identify fine white stippling to prevent early leaf drop.
TypeMite
FamilyTetranychidae
GenusPanonychus
TribeTetranychini
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumArthropoda
SubphylumChelicerata
ClassArachnida
OrderTrombidiformes
SubfamilyTetranychinae
Features
- A major spider mite pest (Panonychus citri) that attacks the leaves and fruit of almost all citrus varieties, particularly lemons and oranges
- Adult females are tiny (0.5 mm), reddish-purple, pear-shaped arachnids with long, prominent white bristles (setae) protruding from their backs
- They feed on both the upper and lower surfaces of leaves, sucking out chlorophyll and causing a 'mesophyll collapse'
- Initial damage looks like tiny white or grey specks (stippling). As feeding increases, leaves take on a pale, dusty, or silvery appearance
- Heavy infestations cause leaves to turn bronze or brown and fall off the tree prematurely. This weakens the tree and reduces the next year's crop
- They also feed on green fruit, causing it to take on a pale, greyish appearance. Mature fruit may develop a thickened, dark, or leathery rind
- They do not produce heavy webbing like some other spider mites. They lay red, onion-shaped eggs, often near the leaf midvein
- Populations peak during the cool, dry weather of spring and autumn. They thrive when humidity is low and trees are under water stress
- Hosing down small trees with a strong stream of water can dislodge mites and reduce the dust that hinders their natural enemies
- Control by applying horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and predatory mites (Euseius spp.)
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificPanonychus citri
English (Alternate)Red mite
Hindiनींबू की लाल मकड़ी (Nimbu ki laal makdi)
Tamilசிவப்பு சிலந்தி (Sivappu silandhi)
Teluguనిమ్మ ఎర్ర నలుసు (Nimma erra nalusu)
Malayalamസിട്രസ് റെഡ് മൈറ്റ് (Sitraṣ reḍ maiṭ)
Kannadaನಿಂಬೆ ಕೆಂಪು ನುಸಿ (Nimbe kempu nusi)
Sanskritजम्बीर-रक्त-कीट (Jambīra-rakta-kīṭa)
Bengaliসাইট্রাস রেড মাইট (Citrus red mite)
Frenchacarien rouge des agrumes
Russianкрасный цитрусовый клещ (krasnyy tsitrusovyy kleshch)
Spanishácaro rojo de los cítricos
GermanRote Zitrusmilbe
