Early Control Advised

Early Control Advised

For Orchard Mites

Inspect your orchards now to forestall mite injury.

G. W. Underhill, associate entomologist at Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station,’ says the number of mites passing the winter now on apple trees forecast fairly well the potential danger of injury in 1952. Planning the mite control program for each orchard centers largely around the winter carry-over. He urges orchardists to look for mites and eggs during the dormant period, and not to wait for foliage injury to show before considering the mite problem. When leaves are bronzed it is too late to do a satisfactory §pr*y control job. . ,/

The European ted mite is now (wintering as brick-red eggs, more or less in flusters, on the underside of limbs and spurs, mostly on 1959 wood growth. The 4-spot and *2-spot mites are wintering as pihk females in clusters under loose bark on the trunk and limbs, and .under the folds of rough bark in ' crotches of larger limbsespecially on younger trees with relatively smooth-bark trunks.

Anyone can learn to spot these dahger signals. A pocket lens will helpj..but good eyesight and a little (practice are usually enough. From 20 to 40 red eggs in a group, or a cluster of a dozen or more pink fenafafre mites are easy to see.

Ifsxhere are large numbers of theSpest, do something about it earljrj If none, or few, are present

ThA {intermediate degrees of infestation are difficult, if not impossible, to forecast. Mites may build up to the bronzing stage in mid or late season, or they may not. ^.^ater checking can take care of those conditions.

Ghfcge your mite control prograffi in the orchard now. Detailed instructions for control are available: from county agents, or from G. W. Underhill, Department of

action is necessary.

Entomology, VPI, Blacksburg.