Pome Fruit – Two-spotted mite, European red mite

Crop(s) Pome fruit
Insect(s) Two-spotted mite (Tetranychus urticae), European red mite (Panonychus ulmi)

 

Guidelines 

  1. Best management practice is to make no more than one application from each registered miticide group per season. Rotate registered miticides that have different mode of action (i.e. Group 6Group 10AGroup 10BGroup 12BGroup 12CGroup 13Group 20BGroup 20DGroup 21A, Group 23, and Group 25A). 
  2. For miticides that have the same mode of action (e.g. Group 21A) do not use sequential applications between seasons. Sequential applications include from the end of one season to the beginning of the next. 

 

Group*  Chemical subgroup  Example chemical 
6  Avermectins, milbemycins  abamectin, milbemectin 
10A  Clofentezine, hexythiazox  clofentezine, hexythiazox 
10B  Etoxazole  etoxazole 
12B  Organotin miticides  fenbutatin oxide 
12C  Propargite  propargite 
20B  Acequinocyl  acequinocyl 
20D  Bifenazate  bifenazate 
21A  METI acaricides  fenpyroximate, tebufenpyrad 
23  Tetronic and
Tetramic acid derivatives 
spiromesifen 
25A   Beta-ketonitrile derivatives  cyflumetofen 

* Refer: CropLife Australia Expert Committee on Insecticide Resistance Mode of Action Classification for Insecticides. 

 

Notes 

  1. Miticides should be used as part of an Integrated Mite Control (IMC) program. 
  2. Mite levels should be monitored, and thresholds utilised before deciding to make miticide applications. 
  3. Where practicable, predatory mites should be incorporated into an IMC program. 
  4. When using insecticides or miticides to control other pests of pome fruit, such as codling moth, lightbrown apple moth and woolly aphid, consider the chemical group and the potential impact it may have on resistance development of mite pests. 
  5. When using insecticides or miticides to control other pests of pome fruit, consider the effect on beneficial insects and the potential to flare mite populations. 
  6. For more information refer to the current NSW Orchard Plant Protection Guide. 

 

Notes regarding the application of insecticides: 

To ensure the most effective control of the pest: 

  1. Product labels should at all times be carefully read and adhered to; 
  2. Full recommended rates of registered insecticides should always be used; and 
  3. Ensure good coverage of the target area to maximise contact. 

URL: https://croplife.org.au/resources/programs/resistance-management/pome-fruit-two-spotted-mite-2/
Content last updated: July 22, 2026

CropLife Australia’s Resistance Management Strategies provide a guide for crop protection product rotation through product groups. The strategies are a useful tool that supports farmers’ adoption of resistance management. All crop protection products must be handled and applied strictly as specified on the product label or APVMA permits.

These Resistance Management Strategies do not replace product labels. They are a guide only and do not endorse particular products, groups of products or cultural methods in terms of their performance. It is important to check with the Australian regulator’s (APVMA) product database for contemporary information on products and active constituents. The database can be sourced through www.apvma.gov.au

The information given in this strategy is provided in good faith and without any liability for loss or damage suffered as a result of its application and use. Advice given in this strategy is valid as at 22 July 2026. All previous versions of this strategy are now invalid.