As mentioned in an earlier ICM News article, twospotted spider mites are problematic in droughty years. We recommend scouting corn and soybean fields for mite infestations this year because they thrive in hot and dry conditions. Twospotted spider mites can aggregate at the field edges, especially if there are weeds surrounding the borders. Eventually they can disperse with the wind to develop a field-wide infestation. I encourage people to look at the edge rows first to see if mites can be found. If their presence is confirmed, then estimate populations throughout the field by walking a “Z” or “W” pattern.
Iowa State University
Hodgson, Erin W., "Scout for Twospotted Spider Mites This Summer" (2012). Integrated Crop Management News. 224.
The Iowa State University Digital Repository provides access to Integrated Crop Management News for historical purposes only. Users are hereby notified that the content may be inaccurate, out of date, incomplete and/or may not meet the needs and requirements of the user. Users should make their own assessment of the information and whether it is suitable for their intended purpose. For current information on integrated crop management from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, please visit https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/.