2018 ASHS Annual Conference

Rose rosette disease is vectored by the eriophyid mite, Phyllocoptes fructiphilus. Due to its small size, detecting and evaluating management strategies for P. fructiphilus on roses in nursery, commercial, public, and private settings is difficult. Methodology has been published for counting eriophyid mites in laboratory settings, but equipment costs (excess of $9,000 U.S. in some cases) prohibits many individuals from counting eriophyid mites on their roses. The objective of this study was to develop a simplified technique for eriophyid mite counts with readily available materials and a combined cost $100 or less. An eriophyid mite counting kit was developed, that achieves this goal. Main kit components include: containers for sample transport, pollen sieves for mite isolation, and an inexpensive microscope for mite detection and population estimation. Also included is a handbook containing equipment descriptions, costs, and protocols for mite collection, extraction, and population estimation. Nineteen kits have been distributed to nursery owners, professionals who maintain rose gardens, and private garden owners. Each kit recipient was asked to fill out a survey on kit ease-of-use and results satisfaction for kit improvement. Distinguishing eriophyid mite population increases on rose plantings will aid nursery and landscape professionals as well as homeowners in scheduling miticide applications.