Raspberry mite: how to protect plants from a tiny but insidious pest
Many people love raspberries. The fruits are not only tasty, but also healthy. Each gardener tries to plant a crop on his site. Raspberries need proper care. It can be attacked by spider mites. When pests appear, it is necessary to start fighting them immediately.
Content
Description of the pest
Ticks are small and egg-shaped. The females are larger than the males. Body length does not exceed 0,6 mm. Males have large black spots on the sides. Coloring can be:
- light beige;
- yellowish orange;
- brown;
- green.
The females are usually yellow. They hibernate in the top layer of soil. In severe frosts, half of the pests can die. In April-May, females begin vigorous activity. They quickly settle in the raspberry bush and lay eggs.
Spider mite.
The eggs are yellow or fawn in color. The shape is rounded. They have longitudinal ribs and a stalk at the top. After a while they become colorless.
The life expectancy of a female varies between 1-1,5 months. The clutch during this period has up to 200 eggs. They are formed within 72 hours. The larvae are pink in color and have 3 pairs of legs. When ripe, the shade becomes red or green. A fourth pair of legs appears.
What caused the appearance of an insect
Causes of parasites:
- purchase of infected seedlings;
- purchased soil;
- transfer on clothes, shoes of people or animals.
Symptoms and signs of parasitism
The pest infects the leaves, which causes damage to the entire plant. Signs of defeat:
- yellow-white and brown spots;
- slow formation of ovaries;
- wilting bushes;
- rapid death of plants;
- the appearance of a web;
- moving dots;
- the presence of eggs on the underside of the leaves;
- falling leaves.
What harm does a tick
Spider mite on raspberries.
The favorite place of ticks is the interveinal depression of the leaf plate. They bite through the epidermis and drink the juice. Parasites prefer fresh raspberry leaves.
The salivary gland secretes an enzyme that destroys the chloroplast. Ulcers appear on the outer side of the leaves. Over time, the sheet curls. Ticks weave webs for breeding. The population is increasing very quickly.
Hatching of larvae occurs 72 hours after laying. Within 10 days, the transformation into an adult takes place. Ticks can damage ovaries, buds, leaves, flowers. The stem is struck last.
Measures to combat spider mites on raspberries
In a very short period, a spider mite can destroy most of the plants. With the help of chemical, biological, folk methods, you can get rid of parasites.
Insectoacaricidal preparations
To quickly destroy ticks, it is necessary to use chemicals.
Biopreparations
Many gardeners prefer biological preparations.
Folk remedies for ticks on raspberries
Traditional methods are also very effective. With a slight infection, raspberries are treated with infusions and decoctions.
| Preparation | Recipe for use |
|---|---|
| Onion infusion | 20 g of onions are poured into 1 liter of water and left for 6-7 hours. Onion infusion is filtered and sprayed on the culture. |
| Dandelion infusion | 20 g of dandelion roots are added to 1 liter of water and infused for 2 hours. After that, the bushes are sprayed. |
| Garlic infusion | 150 g of chopped garlic is poured into 1 liter of water. After 5 days, the leaves are sprayed with garlic infusion. |
| Infusion of tobacco | 45 grams of crushed tobacco leaves are added to 1 liter of water. Spray the plants 2 times with an interval of a week. |
| Mustard infusion | 1 package of dry mustard is diluted in 5 liters of water and sprayed onto the crop. |
| horseradish decoction | 1 kg of chopped horseradish roots is poured into a bucket of water. Put on fire and bring to a boil. Insist for 2 days. Strained infusion is sprayed with bushes. |
Terms and rules for spraying bushes
The best result can be achieved with the help of complex measures. The use of various methods will ensure the elimination of pests. Before the leaves bloom, the plant is sprayed with a solution of urea (6% concentration).
A few recommendations:
- the first time it is necessary to treat with the drug before the start of laying by the female;
- the damaged part is cut off;
- treat the surface of the soil with the help of chemicals;
- dig up the soil without affecting the roots;
- folk remedies are used at any time;
- treated with insectoacaricides three times. The interval is 10 days.
Prevention of the appearance of the parasite
To prevent the appearance of parasites, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures:
- do not allow thickening and growth of bushes;
- feed with mineral fertilizers to strengthen the immune system;
- remove weeds;
- it is impossible to overmoisten and overdry the soil;
- cut off old plants at the root;
- treated with Karbofos after harvest;
- mulch the soil under the raspberries.