View of Symptoms on Top Surface of leaf. Spider mites puncture cells and extract plant juices mainly on the lower surface. An early sign of infestation is stippled areas on the foliage. Later, leaves become chlorotic (left). Finally leaves dry out and shrivel

A look at the bottom surface of the leaf. Usually a hand lens is needed to spot the mites and webbing. Pesticides available to control mites include dimethoate, Agri-Mek, dicofol (Kelthane), and Metasystox-R. During the spider mite outbreak on soybeans in 1988, dimethoate was the preferred control material. Dimethoate and Metasystox-R are old organophosphate products. Dicofol is an old organochlorine product. Agri-Mek is a new product that has been used mostly on apples during the past 2 years, but it is also registered for mite control on some veg crops and strawberries. A summary of products and crops is below. Beans: dimethoate, dicofol, Metasystox-R. Melons: dimethoate, dicofol, Agri-Mek, Metasystox-R. Cuke, squash, pumpkin: dicofol, Agri-Mek, Metasystox-R. Pepper: dimethoate, dicofol, Agri-Mek, Metasystox-R.

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