Integrated control of pecan leaf scorch mite (Eotetranychus hicoriae) in pecan orchards

Western predatory mite was found to effectively control pecan leaf scorch mites in pecan orchards.  After inoculation of the orchard in 2005 the western predatory mite populations increased in abundance, overwintered in the orchard, and average pecan leaf scorch mite abundance was consistently lower in the orchard for the next nine seasons.  Serious outbreaks of pecan leaf scorch mite occurred in 2008 and 2013 and miticides were evaluated during these two seasons to determine their efficacy against the pecan leaf scorch mite and western predatory mite.  The research found significant differences in the western predatory mite abundance relative to pecan leaf scorch mite abundance between miticide treatments.  These differences are sufficient to give pecan growers with biological control in place options for miticides during seasons with an outbreak of pecan leaf scorch mites.