Banks grass mite commonly moves into the margins of newly planted wheat fields from adjacent corn. This easily can result in the loss of several rows of plants, particularly if warm dry weather persists after crop emergence. Banks grass mite produces heavy webbing to protect colonies consisting of eggs, immatures and adults. Colonies usually are found on the undersides of leaves. Damaged leaves first become yellow, then brown and necrotic.
Heavy populations can kill small plants and reduce kernel size in larger plants.
Overwintering mites are bright orange. With the onset of winter conditions the mites move to the crowns of wheat plants where they feed until spring. Small pearly white eggs then are laid that mature into pale to bright green male and female adults. Banks grass mite can be controlled by applying a miticide, such as dimethoate, to affected areas of the field. Brown wheat mite spends the summer in the soil as a white egg resistant to hot, dry conditions.