YELLOW SPIDER MITE IN CHILLI 

Many pests like to eat chili plants, and the yellow spider mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) is one of the most common ones. Our language calls it Pasupu Salidu Purugu. These tiny bugs can do a lot of damage by stopping the plant from growing and lowering its yield. For effective management, it is important to know their life cycle, symptoms, and ways to keep them under control.

Figure out what kind of yellow spider mite is in chili

It's hard to see yellow spider mites with the naked eye because they are so small. Among their different stages of life are:

• Egg: oval-shaped and white.
• Nymphs are white and look a lot like adults, but they are smaller.
• As an adult, it's big, oval, wide, and yellow.

When it's hot and dry outside, these mites are most active. They reproduce quickly, so finding them early is important for control.

Life Cycle of Chilli Mite

Though the yellow spider mite only lives for a short time, it can spread very quickly.

• Mites like it when it's hot and dry, and the best temperature range for them is 25–30°C.
• If conditions are good, one life cycle (from egg to adult) takes about 5–7 days.
• Mite females can lay 30 to 50 eggs during their lifetime, which makes the population grow very quickly.

Symptoms of Chilli Mite Infestation

If you notice the signs of a mite infestation early on, you can help stop the spread. Here are some common signs:

• Webs are made on the underside of the leaves.
• Mites feed on the leaves' sap, which makes the leaves curl down.
• Infested leaves look like they are longer and have petioles.
• When nutrients are taken away from plants, their growth is slowed down.

Favorable Conditions for Mite Growth

There are certain conditions that make mites more likely to attack chili plants:

• When it's hot, the best temperature range is 25–30°C.
• Dry Weather: Mites breed quickly when it's dry outside.
• Poor Irrigation: Plants are weaker and more likely to die when they don't get enough water.
• Too many plants: Too many plants close together block airflow, making it easy for mites to live.
• Too Much Fertilization: Too much nitrogen can make the mite population grow.

Economic Threshold Level (ETL)

Keeping an eye on the level of infestation is important for figuring out when to take control measures. This is what the Economic Threshold Level (ETL) is:

• 10-15 mites per leaf, or signs that can be seen, like curling or browning, on 15-20% of the plants in the field.

Management and Control of Chilli Mite

To get rid of yellow spider mites effectively, you need to use a mix of biological, chemical, and cultural methods.

Cultural Control

• To stop the spread, take off and destroy any parts of plants that are infected.
• To cut down on carryover, don't plant new crops near old, infected fields.
• To stop the mite's life cycle, switch crops with plants that aren't hosts.
• Limit the use of fertilizer, especially nitrogen, to keep mite populations from getting too high.

Biological Control

Getting natural predators to live in an area can help keep mite populations in check. Here are some biological methods that work well:

• Those that eat mites are ladybird beetles and lacewings.
• Using neem oil to keep bugs away naturally.

Chemical Control

Chemical treatments should be used only when the infestation reaches the ETL. Effective options include:

• Foliar spraying of dicofol (5ml/l) or wettable sulphur (3g/l).

• Avoid using synthetic pyrethroids, as they may increase mite populations.

• For effective mite control, use bio-pesticides like Dr. Eliminator (250 ml/acre).

Try Dr. Eliminator

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can we tell if chili plants have yellow spider mites?
Mites make webs on the underside of leaves and drink sap, which makes the leaves curl downward. Infested leaves look long, and the plant may not grow as much as it should.

Which chemical is the best way to get rid of yellow spider mites?
biopesticides, such as Dr. Eliminator (250 ml/acre), are suggested as a treatment.

What natural ways are there to get rid of yellow spider mites?
Some natural ways to get rid of them are to spray neem oil mixed with water on them and bring in predatory bugs like ladybugs.

What are some plants that go well with yellow spider mites and keep them away?
If you plant marigolds and garlic near chili crops, they can naturally keep pests away.

What level of ETL is there for yellow spider mites?
ETL is 5–10 mites per leaf or 15–20% of the plants being infested enough to be seen.

Conclusion

Yellow spider mites are very bad for chili plants, but they can be controlled if they are found early and taken care of properly. Farmers can protect their crops and make sure they have a healthy yield by using a mix of biological, chemical, and cultural control methods. To keep these pests in check, you need to keep an eye on them and keep the fields clean.