The Citrus Bud Mite, Eriophyes sheldoni Ewing1

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Abstract
This mite was first recognized in 1937, when it became evident that it was responsible for causing a characteristic injury on lemons near Santa Paula, Ventura Co., California. Its origin is unknown. It has been found in 5 counties in the southern portion of California and is also recorded from Queensland and New S. Wales in Australia, and from Oahu, Hawaii. Citrus spp. are the only known hosts. Nursery stock is probably the best medium of dissemination into uninfested areas. The mites occur in the buds and beneath the buttons of the fruits, where they feed and reproduce. Blasted buds, multiple buds, and deformed twigs, leaves, blossoms and fruits, and bunched growth result from injury to the buds. Blackening of the rind tissue beneath the button of the fruit results from their feeding in this location. In California the lemon is the only host in fruiting that is seriously affected, although the degree of infestation on oranges has increased during the past 2 years. The mites are yellow to orange in color. The adult [female][female] are about 170 [mu] long, the [male][male] about 120 u long. The eggs are somewhat translucent, almost spherical, and are deposited singly or in small groups, mainly within the buds and beneath the buttons of fruits. The developmental period, egg to adult, varies with prevailing temp, conditions it was 7 days in the laboratory; in the field it was 10 days during the summer and 15 days during the autumn. Owing to the small size of this mite, quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of treatments for control is difficult. Results of treatments are judged principally from a population census taken just prior to, and at appropriate intervals following, treatment. Fumigation with HCN and also with vaporized nicotine under tented trees was not satisfactory. Light-medium or medium grade petroleum oil at the usual dosage of 12/3% affords the most generally satisfactory control of the citrus bud mite as well as of the citrus red mite, Paratetranychus citri, and the black scale. Saissetia oleae, which are also important pests to be considered in the control program on Citrus. Ammonium polysulfide, lime-sulfur, wettable sulfur and an "inverted" oil-sulfur mixture are effective in control of the citrus bud mite but have very limited practicability. Of the various aqueous solutions of organic compounds tested, the triethanolamine salt of 2-4-dinitro-6-cyclohexyl-phenol has shown most promise in prelim. tests. Predaceous insects and mites commonly found associated with the citrus bud mite do not appear to be of importance in reducing or limiting the population of this Eriophyid.

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