SPRAY I X<; FOR CITRUS INSECTS AND MITES IN FLORIDA. 



29 



future infestation of any pest is so influenced by weather condi- 

 tions and natural enemies that it is impossible to make predictions 

 approximating any degree of accuracy. A few suggestions are 

 given here to help the intelligent grower to handle this most diffi- 

 cult of all problems. 



Six -spotted mite. In 

 the control of the six- 

 spotted mite spraying 

 should be clone if one 

 or two trees are badly 

 infested in March, 

 April, or May, or if 

 many trees are slightly 

 infested. This pest 

 spreads most rapidly in 

 the dry spring months, 

 and complete defolia- 

 tion often follows while 

 the grower is contem- 



C 



plating spraying. 

 After the rainy season 

 sets in trouble is rarely 

 experienced with this 

 species. 



Rust mite. The rust 

 mite, being of small 

 size, often reaches the 

 maximum infestation 

 before the growers 

 know of its presence. 

 The first intimation of 

 its presence is evidenced 

 by the " russet " fruit, 

 and then it is too late 

 to remedy the damage. 

 The grower should pro- 

 vide himself with a hand lens to enable him to see this serious pest. 

 If there are about 50 mites on each of the old leaves in the spring, 

 spraying should be done within the next few days. Another rule 

 to follow is to spray when the mites are abundant on the foliage and 

 just beginning to appear on the young fruit. If the fruit is about 

 1J inches in diameter and a few fruits per tree look a little brownish, 

 the time is short before spraying should be started to get bright fruit. 

 If in the spring of the year, in either April. May, or June, from 

 100 to 200 mites are on each fruit, spraying should be given within 



FIG. 19. An orange leaf heavily infested with the 

 citrus white fly. There are over 800 pupae and pupa 

 cases on this leaf. The white fly should never be 

 permitted to become as abundant as here shown. 

 (Morrill and Back.) 



