Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems - Grains ...

Acarina: Penthaleidae
Blue oat mite (Penthaleus spp.)
Distinguishing characteristics/description
adult
10 mm 20 30
Globular-shaped,
dark purplish blueblack
body
Eight red-orange
legs (adults)
Oval orange/red
marking (anal
shield) on back
Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems Identification Manual and Education Resource © 2012
Confused with/similar to
There are three recognised pest species of blue oat
mites, but these are morphologically very similar and
cannot be identified without the use of a microscope.
Blue oat mites are similar in appearance to redlegged
earth mites and may also be confused with other mite
pests, such as Balaustium mites. The orange-red patch
on the back of blue oat mites is unique and generally
quite conspicuous when viewed with a hand lens.
76
Usually not found
in foraging groups
SECTION 4 COMMON Pest, Beneficial and exotic Species
Nymphs are pink-orange in
colour with six legs
Damage symptoms:
silvery-grey patches on leaves
(similar to frost damage)
Distribution, pest status and risk period
Blue oat mites are widespread throughout the southern
agricultural regions of Australia. They are broadly
distributed across Victoria and New South Wales, the
eastern half of Tasmania, the southern part of South
Australia and the south-west of Western Australia.
Blue oat mites often coexist with redlegged earth mites
and both are typically active from autumn to late spring.
Feeding damage can occur throughout this period but
newly emerging crops and establishing pastures are
most at risk.