Cool-season-active
Guides
Penthaleus major
Blue Oat Mite, Winter Grain Mite
Penthaleus major, commonly known as the blue oat mite or winter grain mite, is a small earth mite in the family Penthaleidae. It is a significant agricultural pest of pasture grasses and grain crops, particularly oats, wheat, and barley. The species reproduces asexually through obligate thelytokous parthenogenesis and has a broad global distribution spanning multiple continents. Temperature strongly influences its development, with optimal population growth occurring around 12°C and no development possible below 6°C or above 24°C.