Brown Wheat Mite spotted in southwest Kansas
This photo was taken on Monday, March 27th south of Protection, KS by Tyree Ag salesman, Tom Daniels.
The brown wheat mite, Petrobia latens (Müller), is a common pest of dryland wheat in western Kansas but can become a problem as far east as Manhattan in dry years. They are very small and red to brown in color. At a quick glance they may appear as tiny dark specs on wheat blades. Brown wheat mites tend to feed on the tops of leaves, causing them to dry out and die. Their injury results in a yellow to white stippling that is noticeable on the leaf blades. If severe injury occurs, leaf tips will begin to yellow or brown. Fields that are heavily infested present a scorched, withered appearance.
The best time to scout for these mites is mid-day and when winds are relatively calm.
The best management tool is good volunteer wheat control and any management practice that can minimize drought stress. If an outbreak should occur, only chemical control can reduce their numbers. As the season progresses, producers and scouts should keep an eye out for the development of other mite species.
Please contact your Tyree Ag Salesman if you suspect Brown Wheat Mites in your fields or by calling the office, 866-897-3324.
For more information about Brown Wheat Mites, check out these sites below.
Brown Wheat Mite - Kansas State University Department of Entomology
Wheat Insect Pest Management - K-State Research and Extension
Dry Weather and Brown Wheat Mites Go Hand-in-Hand - University of Nebraska-Lincoln Crop Watch
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