The Brown Wheat Mite, Peterobia latens (Müller), in Hokkaido

Abstract

The brown wheat mite (Homono-hadani in Japanese name), Peterobia latens (Müller), is one of major pests of crops in Hokkaido, devouring clover, alfalfa, wheat, barley, and many other grasses. Especially clover is severely infested.
This mite oviposits two types of eggs. One type, summer egg, is brick-red in color and possesses an inconspicuos central hair, and the duration of this egg is from five to ten days depending upon the climatic condition during summer and autumn. Other type, winter egg, is red in color and coated with a white substance. This egg began to hatch in late April orearly May in the next year.
Overwintering takes place only in egg stage. In the vicinity of Sapporo most of the winter eggs of this mite are laid by the female of second generation and the adult population reaches its peak on or about July 20th.