Appearance and way of life
Boxwood spider mites, like all spider mites, are tiny and therefore easy to miss. Females are between 0.4 and 0.5 millimeters in size, males with an average of 0.35 millimeters remain smaller. The animals are mostly reddish-brown in color and react very quickly to disturbances. The first generation hatches from the end of May, followed by another about every four weeks. Between six and eight generations develop per season, with the most recently laid eggs hibernating on the plant and not hatching until the following year.
also read
- Preventing, recognizing and combating powdery mildew on boxwood
- Fungal infestation on boxwood - recognize, fight, prevent
- Boxwood: Detect, treat and prevent an infestation with the boxwood moth
Damage image
Spider mite damage typically shows up as tiny white or yellowish speckles on the tops of the leaves. Often they are completely covered, then change color after a while reddish to bronze colored and fall off. Other leaves, on the other hand, can only be slightly attacked. Eurytetranychus buxi rarely develops the characteristic fine webs. If these are found, it can also be an infestation with the box tree moth.
Combat
The spider mite is comparatively easy to fight. Good results could be achieved with Pesticides can be made on the basis of rapeseed or neem oil. These must be done in early spring before the 15th April or be brought out in autumn to kill the winter eggs and thus the first generation. If, on the other hand, the infestation is only noticed later in the year, potash soap has proven its worth. This is contained in many aphid remedies. A natural predator of the spider mite is the predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri, which is particularly hungry between mid-April and early May.
prevention
A spider mite infestation can be prevented quite well with the following measures:
- Make sure you have sufficient supplies water.
- Mulching Boxwood beds to keep the moisture in the soil longer.
- Make sure you are balanced, not overly nitrogenous fertilization.
- Choose a suitable, airy one Location the end.
- Stick to the recommended Plant spacing a.
- Promote the settlement of beneficial insects in the garden, for example by setting up an insect hotel.
You should also check your book regularly, if possible with a magnifying glass, in order to identify any possible infestation as quickly as possible and take appropriate countermeasures.
Tips
If you discover the characteristic damage pattern of the spider mite on your box trees, you should examine them carefully: animals are not always actually left. Sometimes a phase of rainy, rather cool weather is enough to kill the warmth-loving spider mites.
