Brown Wheat Mite Activity Raises Concerns for Kansas Wheat Growers

The contents of this blog come from an interview conducted with Anthony Zukoff, Kansas State Extension Entomologist.

Brown Wheat Mite

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Dry, cool conditions across parts of Kansas are creating an environment favorable for brown wheat mites, raising concerns for producers—especially in central and western portions of the state.

According to Anthony Zukoff, extension entomologist with Kansas State University, brown wheat mite is a periodic pest that can impact wheat production across Kansas, though it is more commonly seen in the western part of the state.

“Brown wheat mite is a periodic pest outbreak species of wheat… throughout the state of Kansas,” Zukoff explained. “But it’s typically limited to the western portion of the state.”

That regional pattern is largely driven by weather conditions. Brown wheat mites thrive in dry environments, making semi-arid areas more prone to outbreaks.

“Brown wheat mite kind of likes—well, it does like—dry conditions,” Zukoff said. “So the more semi-arid environment of western Kansas is more conducive for population growth.”

Don’t Mistake Mite Damage for Drought Stress

Following a mild winter, conditions have supported increased mite activity, and experts say producers should be cautious when evaluating stressed fields.

“Typically we have problems with brown wheat mite when we’re in drought cycles,” Zukoff said. “So it’s easy to drive by a field and say, ‘yeah, that field is looking pretty drought-stressed.’”

However, that assumption can be misleading.

“I would encourage folks… to get out and look a little closer,” he said. “Don’t just drive by thinking that field is stressed out from dry conditions.”

Timing Matters

While the presence of brown wheat mites can be concerning, their activity is typically limited to a short window in the growing season.

“The population of brown wheat mite will actually start naturally peaking mid to late April,” Zukoff said. “By the time we get into May, folks usually don’t have to be worrying about brown wheat mite anymore for the rest of the year.”

What to Look For in the Field

Scouting remains the most effective way to determine whether mites are present. Rather than relying solely on visual observations from a distance, producers are encouraged to inspect fields more closely.

“Pick up clods of dirt or old corn stubble or plant material that’s laying on the ground and flip that material over,” Zukoff advised. “You’re going to want to look for mite eggs.”

By taking a hands-on approach, farmers can better distinguish between drought stress and pest pressure, allowing for more informed management decisions.