Citrus rust mites (Phyllocoptruta oleivora) live on both leaf surfaces and on fruit skin. Feeding by Phyllocoptruta oleivora, probably owing to salivary injections, causes epidermal cells to collapse. Fruit skin turns silvery, reddish, or black. On grapefruit and lemons the feeding results in a silvered or ‘sharkskin’ appearance. Rind of silvered fruit is thicker than on undamaged fruit, and silvered fruit loses water faster than undamaged fruit. One result of mite damage is small fruit, which not only appears substandard, but also deteriorates rapidly. Heavy populations of the rust mite cause bronzing of leaves and green twigs, and general loss of vitality of the whole tree.
These rust mites gather on sunny green surfaces during the day, but tend to scatter over all surfaces at night or on cloudy days. They prefer green fruit and underside of leaves, but in heavy populations also move on to green twigs. Infestations are generally heavier on the outside of tree canopies, and the mites leave damaged plant surfaces for fresh leaves and fruits.
Prochemica team has tested Pheniksus against Citrus rust mites (Phyllocoptruta oleivora) and performance efficacy is over 93% control and safe to beneficials