Control of Acalitus phloeocoptes Nalepa (Acarina: Eriphyiidae), plum gall mite, in Seville [Spain]

In some plums orchards in Seville (southern Spain), the plum gall mite Acalitus phloeocoptes Nalepa (Acarina: Eriphyiidae), is a serious problem. For a three years period, its biology and chemical control strategies have been studied. Adults emerge from winter galls about the middle of March. Even when the climate affect, it can be considered that emergence ends at the second fortnight of May. After a series of trials, the more interesting active ingredients under our circumstance are sulphur and carbaril, considering that amitraz, very useful, has been exclude from the annex I of the Directive 91/414/CEE of July the 15th. Sulphur needs three to eight treatments, increasing efficacy with the number. Carbaril is very effective with just one treatment at 70% of hatching. In our area this happen about the end of April, at 700 day degrees (base 7 degrees C) from January first.