|
|
Blueberry
bud mite
Rufus
Isaacs, MSU
Entomology |
 |
Blueberry
bud mites are microscopic and white, living on the inner bud
scales of blueberry from the fall to spring. Females lay clear,
spherical eggs, and multiple generations occur each year.
Mites can reproduce rapidly, and if populations build to high
levels, feeding injury to buds may be seen in spring. |
| Blueberry
bud mite on a blueberry scale. |
|
|
To
detect infestation, sample current-season growth after harvest
and dissect floral buds nearest to shoot tips using a microscope
to see the tiny mites. Some varieties, particularly Rubel, are
sensitive to the mite's feeding; others show few symptoms. Symptoms
are seen in the spring as blistering on the outside of bud scales
and poor flower set. In the summer, poor plant growth and fruit
set, particularly in the tops of plants, may indicate bud mite
infestation. |
Viewed under a microscope, white mites are visible against a red
bud scale. |
Low fruit set on infested cluster. |
Infested plants (on right in the photo) have poor growth and low
yields. |
|
