In 1994 scientists first identified the onion-bulb mite in southwestern Idaho. The corn earworm project has noted the effectiveness of biological control with Trichograma sp. because earworm populations have not been at levels to exhibit control. This was accomplished through monitoring corn earworm presence using a Growing Degree Day model. The onion-bulb mite project showed that mites are present in most onion fields in southwestern Idaho. In addition to design methods developed by Canyon County Extension, Oregon State University and Cornell University also provided study methods.
Research has yet to determine if damage caused by the mite is of economic importance.
The Future Efforts to correlate GDD to insect emergence in reduce pesticide used are ongoing. Surveys to indicate the presence of newly identified insects such as the onion-bulb mite will continue too. Cooperative Extension System , College of Agriculture , University of Idaho . All rights reserved.