Bindweed Mite

Because bindweed can be expensive and difficult to control with herbicides, the Weed Science research group at OSU have been working with the biological control agent, bindweed mite (Acercia malherbae). This tiny mite, found in Greece by a USDA scientist, feeds only on bindweed, causing small galls. Infected plants do not elongate nor climb and the plants will not bloom.

A small population of mites was obtained from Texas A&M University and released in Oklahoma. After that time, several releases were done with the help of local landowners in the northwestern quadrant of the state. Unfortunately, there were very few successful establishments. Research is continuing to determine the most successful manner of distributing the mites. Stay tuned to this site for updates on the bindweed mite status.

For more information, download this file (pdf format), entitled Biological Control of Field Bindweed in Oklahoma (pdf). This report covers the history of bindweed mite in the state, current establishment of the mite, ways to spread the mite, and other information. For general information on weed control in wheat, see the Pest Management chapter in Wheat Management in Oklahoma (pdf). (download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat to read pdf files)

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