Aubergine IPM Module
Practical IPM plan for aubergines covering protected aubergine production and glasshouse systems.
Main focus: spider mite, whitefly, aphids, thrips and Botrytis.
Main pest risks
| Pest | Risk | Main trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Spider mites | Very High | Hot dry crops |
| Whitefly | High | Long-season crops |
| Thrips | Moderate | Flowers and heat |
| Aphids | Moderate | Soft growth |
| Botrytis | Moderate | Dense canopy |
Monitoring plan
Best practical rule: inspect lower leaves and warm edges every week. Spider mite hotspots spread rapidly in aubergines.
| Area | What to inspect |
|---|---|
| Lower leaves | Spider mite and eggs |
| Flowers | Thrips |
| Growing points | Aphids |
| Dense canopy zones | Botrytis |
| Sticky traps | Whitefly movement |
Environmental risk
| Condition | Likely issue |
|---|---|
| Hot dry weather | Spider mite |
| Dense foliage | Botrytis |
| Excess nitrogen | Aphids |
| Long-season overlap | Whitefly carryover |
Biological control
Aubergines respond well to preventative biological programmes.
Focus on: - early predator establishment - hotspot mapping - lower leaf inspections - avoiding plant stress - maintaining airflow
Key message
Aubergine IPM depends heavily on early spider mite and whitefly prevention.