10 



buds are showing. The small white nymphs settle on the new growth, and as 

 soon as they start to feed they start to excrete the spittle within which they 

 remain, and feed until they transform to adults. There are five nynphal stages 

 which last a month or more, depending on tenperatures. Only one generation 

 occurs each year. 



Spittlebugs have-piercing sucking mouthparts which they use to feed on 

 plant juices. Feeding damage reduces plant vigor and can severely reduce 

 strawberry yields. When spittlebugs overwinter in plant crowns, early season 

 feeding can result in stunted, poorly-colored plants --da mage that looks very 

 similar to that caused by cyclamen mites. 



Good weed control will help decrease damage by spittlebugs, as will 

 maintaining weed-free hedgerows. 



Mites 



Two-spotted spider mites ( Tetranychus urt icae Koch) are tiny, light- 

 colored mites that have two reddish to black spots on their bodies. These 

 mites overwinter as adults and become active as tenperatures warm in the 

 spring. If spring weather is warm and dry, mites build up rapidly due to their 

 rapid rate of development. 



Spider mite feeding results in discolored or blotching of leaves, or under 

 heavy infestations, bronzing and drying of the leaves. Since spider mites spin 

 silken threads as they crawl around on leaf surfaces, in heavy infestations webs 

 may form over entire plants. Eggs are laid on leaf surfaces or are attached to 

 webbing. 



Severe mite damage not only affects infested leaves, it also decreases 

 plant vigor and yields and can result in plant stunting and death. Early mite 

 control is essential to maintain plant health and yields. Good weed control and 

 attention to cultural practices may help with spider mite control. 



Root Weevils 



Over twenty species of root weevils are pests of strawberries. Of these 

 the black vine weevil ( Otiorhynchus sulcatus F.) and the strawberry root weevil 

 ( O. ovatus L.) are the most irrportant. Although the adult weevils feed on 

 foliage, the most important damage results from larval feeding on roots. Larvae 

 are small, legless, white grub-like insects found in and around strawberry roots. 



Once strawberry root weevils have invaded a strawberry planting they are 

 very difficult to control. Proper identification of the species is essential to 

 adequate chemical control, where chemical controls can be used. Prevention 

 and destruction of infected plantings are the best methods of dealing with 

 strawberry root weevils. 



Root weevil populations increase as plantings are held over from year to 

 year. Therefore, cropping for fewer years will help prevent problems. Good 

 sanitation will also assist in preventing infestations. 



