Residents who have avocado groves or individual trees may have noticed an insect pest building webs on the underside of avocado leaves. The webbing is evidence of a mite the so-called persea mite that threatens not only avocado, but also peach and apricot trees. Other plants may be infected as well. Southern California growers are speaking now of a "plague" because of the widespread penetration of this mite into our groves.
Fortunately, a predatory mite was discovered that is able to get beneath the webbing of this pest and consume it. This effective predator is known by the tongue-twisting scientific name of Galendromus helveolus. It is widely distributed in Florida, Texas, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. In addition to feasting on the persea mite, it also consumes several species of spider mites. It is not known to present any hazard to plants or to desirable insects. Once this mite is released, it may take up to two years for the persea population to be brought under control.
The predatory mite can be ordered from insectaries through the following sources:
Los Angeles Master Gardener: (213) 744-4851
Buena Biosystems in Santa Paula: (805) 525-2525
Rincon-Vitova in Ventura: (805) 643-5407
Heights resident Janice Jensen has dealt with Buena Biosystems and finds
them very knowledgeable and helpful. Our thanks to them for bringing
this information to the attention of all residents.