What are Russet Mites?

What are Tomato Russet Mites?

Tomato russet mite- Aculops lycopersici

The tomato russet mite is a sap-sucking insect pest that lives freely on tomatoes. Russet mites are 0.15-0.2mm long and 0.05mm wide, a hand lens is needed to see these mites. The host range are tomato, chili and capsicum plants.

How to identify Tomato Russet Mites?

Affected leaves are slightly curled, with a silvery sheen on the underside that later turn brown and brittle. Badly affected tomato leaves and stems lose their leaf hairs, stems turn a rusty brown colour and may snap.

The fruit can also be affected, the skin becoming coarse and turning reddish brown and sometimes deformed. Considerable damage can occur, especially at high temperatures when population growth is most rapid and affected leaves dry out quickly.

The damage is first seen on the lower part of the plant and moves upwards as the mite ascends.

How to control Tomato Russet Mites?

Control starts with maintaining good garden hygiene including destroying old crops and weeds.

1. Check that seedlings are not infested before transplanting
2. For minor infestations, simply prune off the infested leaves, shoots, or fruits (bag & bin)
3. Spraying plants with a seaweed-based plant tonic will give plants a feed and health boost to better fight invasion
4. If further treatment is required, an application of Eco-oil, soap spray or even sulphur-based spray will help control the mites