Dry, Cool Conditions in Kansas Favor Brown Wheat Mite Activity
Dry and cool weather across Kansas is fostering an environment conducive to brown wheat mites, raising concerns among wheat producers as the growing season progresses. According to Global Agriculture, Anthony Zukoff, a K-State Extension entomologist, reports of brown wheat mite activity have been widespread, particularly in western Kansas, with cases extending into central parts of the state. These mites thrive under dry and cool conditions, and their damage can mimic drought stress, making proper identification crucial for producers. Brown wheat mites are considered an early-season pest in wheat and triticale, and their feeding damage often appears as yellow stripping along the leaves, with leaf tips dying back under heavy pressure. 
