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The Russet Mite (Aculops lycopersici), also known as the Tomato Russet Mite, frequently infests tomato plants. The pest was first detected in Australia but has since spread across the world and can now be located in all tomato growing areas.
The Russet Mite life cycle stages are difficult to identify due to how small they are. The pest is almost torpedo-shaped, segmented and soft with the body appearing to be split into two parts separating the head with mouthparts from the rest of the body. All life cycle stages look similar with the pest a cream to yellow-orange colour. Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves and on lower stems. Eggs are a creamy white at first but turn to a patchy yellow.
Russet Mites suck out the contents of plant cells. This will cause leaves to curl slightly and develop a silvery sheen on the underside. If infestations continue and damage becomes more severe, the leaves will become brittle and brown in colour. Infested tomato plants will lose leaf hairs (trichomes) from leaves and stems. Stems may also then turn a brown colour and may snap.
Fruit produce from plants can also become affected. Tomatoes may turn reddish brown, develop coarse skin and become deformed. Damage can become most severe at high temperatures when Russet Mite populations grow quickly and affected leaves quickly dry. Damage can be first identified on the lower areas of the plant and will spread as the mites ascend.
Russet Mites can be controlled naturally with Dragonfli's dedicated Russet Mite Killer which contains Amblyseius andersoni predatory mites. Simply sprinkle the predators and carrier material over infested plants, this will release a large amount of predators immediately over the plant to seek out and kill the Russet Mites. Repeat treatment may be required to maintain predator numbers.
Amblyseius andersoni Sachets can also be hung onto infested plants, releasing the predatory mites more slowly but over a more sustained period for up to 4 weeks. This ensures a continual presence of the pest on the trees, acting as an insurance policy against new or small scale infestations.
