Spider Mites Peanut Notes No. 147 2026

Dry peanut field in NC

Even though we are picking up some rains, some areas of the state remain dry and spider mites are likely building. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that are prone to flare mites. I have not seen anything that would justify an insecticide application right now. Also, consider using the advisory to target fungicide sprays. We don’t want disease epidemics to start, but we need to avoid fungicide sprays if the pathogen is not active. When the pathogen is not active, spider mites are often becoming active, and chlorothalonil applied multiple times can flare mites.