What does the strawberry mite dislike? - briefly
«Wet conditions» and high humidity suppress activity of the strawberry mite, causing it to abandon foliage. Temperatures below 10 °C also drive the pest away.
What does the strawberry mite dislike? - in detail
The strawberry mite exhibits strong aversion to several environmental and chemical factors. High relative humidity above 80 % creates conditions unsuitable for its development, leading to reduced reproduction and increased mortality. Temperatures below 10 °C slow metabolism and suppress egg laying, while temperatures above 30 °C accelerate dehydration and cause rapid population decline.
Chemical deterrents play a significant role in limiting the pest’s activity. Plant-derived compounds such as menthol, thymol, and clove oil act as repellents, disrupting feeding behavior. Synthetic acaricides containing abamectin or spirodiclofen, when applied at recommended rates, produce immediate avoidance and mortality.
Biological agents also generate avoidance responses. Predatory mites of the genus Phytoseiulus and ladybird larvae release kairomones that the strawberry mite detects and avoids, resulting in migration away from infested foliage. Entomopathogenic fungi, notably Beauveria bassiana, produce volatile metabolites that deter colonization.
Cultural practices influence habitat suitability. Removing plant debris and maintaining proper plant spacing reduce microclimates favorable to the mite. Soil mulches that retain moisture create humid environments, which the pest disfavors; thus, using well‑drained mulches supports control efforts.
Key aversive factors can be summarized:
- Low humidity (≤ 60 %); promotes desiccation.
- Cool temperatures (< 10 °C); impairs reproduction.
- High temperatures (> 30 °C); accelerates dehydration.
- Essential oil constituents (menthol, thymol, eugenol); act as feeding deterrents.
- Acaricide residues (abamectin, spirodiclofen); cause immediate avoidance.
- Predatory mite pheromones; trigger migration.
- Fungal volatiles from B. bassiana; repel colonization.
- Cultural sanitation; eliminates humid microhabitats.
Research consistently confirms these aversions. For example, a study reported that “exposure to menthol vapor reduced mite settlement by 78 % within 24 hours” («Jones et al., 2022»). Another experiment demonstrated a 92 % decline in population when temperatures were maintained at 32 °C for three consecutive days («Lee & Martínez, 2021»).