Pear flat mite

The pear flat mite (Brevipalpus pyri) belongs to the family Tenuipalpidae (false spider mites) within the order Trombidiformes. This is a microscopic pest that leads a cryptic lifestyle, often remaining unnoticed until significant damage to the plant becomes visible.

The pest primarily infests pome and stone fruit crops, with pears, apples, and peaches being the most susceptible. The mites tend to inhabit the underside of leaves, the areas around buds, and the microscopic cracks in the bark of twigs.

The life cycle consists of several stages: egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult. Fertilized females usually overwinter in bark crevices or under bud scales. Once temperatures rise in the spring, they migrate to young leaves and begin laying eggs.

Damage manifests as leaf deformation, the appearance of chlorotic spots, and premature leaf drop. In cases of high infestation, overall tree health declines, annual shoot growth is reduced, and crop yield decreases significantly due to disrupted photosynthesis.

To control this pest, the following strategies are recommended:

• Applying acaricides in the early spring before the buds break.
• Using sulfur-based products during the growing season as soon as the first signs of infestation appear.
• Implementing regular sanitation, including pruning and scraping off dead bark where females hibernate.
• Encouraging the presence of natural enemies, such as phytoseiid predatory mites, which naturally limit mite populations.