Cyclamen mite: Hiding in plain sight! Monitoring and control in strawberry

First identified in 1898, cyclamen mite, Phytonemus pallidus (Banks) (Trombidiformes: Tarsonemidae) is found globally. Feeding on the new growth of its host, P. pallidus stunts strawberry plants and damages developing fruit. Because of its small size (0.25 mm), P. pallidus goes undetected until damage is found. Cyclamen mite is difficult to control once it becomes established in a strawberry field.
Currently, there is no damage threshold, and miticides are applied once P. pallidus damage is detected. A new detection method is needed. In Canada, Agri-Mek SC (abamectin) is the only registered miticide for cyclamen mite, with two applications permitted annually. Sole reliance on abamectin could lead to the development of resistance. To help diversify the toolbox for cyclamen mite control, efficacy of new miticides and biopesticides should be determined.
Using the COI region of cyclamen mite DNA, a genetic library will be created to design species specific primers. After these primers are created, mixtures of arthropod DNA with decreasing concentrations of pure cyclamen mite DNA will be used to test the lowest level of cyclamen mite DNA that can be detected in a sample. Another objective of this project is to test the efficacy of miticides and biopesticides on cyclamen mite. Miticides and biopesticides will be tested in the field and greenhouse as both foliar sprays and dip treatments compared to the conventional miticide, abamectin. The outcomes of this project will benefit strawberry growers by providing them with additional, sustainable detection and control options for cyclamen mite.