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Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Fruit > Strawberry > Distorted Leaves

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Strawberries > Leaves > Distorted leaves

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  • Image: Spider Mites 1
  • Image: Spider Mites 2

Spider Mites
Tetranychus urticae

  • Feeding on the underside of leaves causes a “russet” appearance to the leaves; leaves may become distorted
  • In heavy infestations, webbing can be found on underside of leaves
  • Adult spider mites are very small (approximately 1/50 inch in length), and are yellow to dark crimson, with dark spots
  • Mites usually appear in late June-August; more prevalent in hot, dry weather
  • More information on Spider Mites
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  • Image: Powdery Mildew 1
  • Image: Powdery Mildew 2

Powdery Mildew
Podosphaera aphanis

  • Infected leaflets curl up, exposing undersides that often are reddened and coated with a grayish white powdery mildew fungus
  • Leaves will eventually turn purple or red
  • Common in mid to late summer
  • More information on Powdery Mildew
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  • Image: Cyclamen Mites 1
  • Image: Cyclamen Mites 2
  • Image: Cyclamen Mites 3

Cyclamen Mites
Phytonemus pallidus

  • In light infestations, leaves are wrinkled and are slightly darker in color
  • In heavy infestations plants become severely stunted and wrinkled, resulting in a compact leaf mass in the center of the plant
  • Usually found along the midrib of folded leaves and under the calyx of the fruit
  • Oval in shape, pinkish or amber colored, and shiny; 1/100-inch in length (not visible without handlens)
  • More likely to be present in spring/early summer
  • More information on cyclamen mites
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  • Image: Strawberry Leafroller 1
  • Image: Strawberry Leafroller 2
  • Image: Strawberry Leafroller 3

Strawberry Leafroller
Ancylis comptana fragariae

  • Larvae feed on upper sides of leaves, secreting thread they use to fold and tie leaflets together
  • Larvae are pale green to gray-brown in color, and are approximately ½ inch in length when mature
  • Larvae present in May-June, and again in late summer
  • More information on strawberry leafroller

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