Broad mites and Cyclamen mites
Wednesday, 07 July 2010 13:51
Damage from broad mites has been reported on peppers and New Guinea impatiens. Tarsononemid mites including cyclamen mite and broad mite can cause serious damage to a wide range of greenhouse crops such as New Guinea impatiens, garden impatiens, dahlias, gerbera, ivy, lantana, snapdragon, verbena, zinnia, peppers and other vegetable plants. Broad mites inject a toxin from their saliva as they feed. Their feeding causes twisted, hardened and distorted growth in the terminal of the plant and bronzed, rough, lower surfaces. Young terminal buds can be killed and leaves turn downward. Broad and cyclamen mites are too small to see without the aid of a microscope. Regular inspection of crops for their feeding damage is the best way to detect infestations. If characteristic symptoms are seen, send samples to the diagnostic laboratory where they can be inspected under a microscope.
Mites can be easily spread to healthy plants by workers' and infested hanging plants can infest plants below. During scouting and other tasks, enter mite-infested areas last. Clean the greenhouse thoroughly.
Damage caused by cyclamen mites has been observed on Delphinium. Symptoms are very characteristic and are sometimes mistaken for disease. Leaves cup or curl and are often blackened. Flower spikes are stunted and blackened. Aconitum, dahlia, chrysanthemum, verbena and viola are also hosts, although they do not exhibit so serious a reaction to the feeding.
Miticides labeled for broad mites and cyclamen mites on ornamentals include: products containing abamectin (Avid, Lucid, Minx and others), chlorfenapyr (Pylon), dicofol (Kelthane), fenpyroximate (Akari) and spiromesifen (Judo). Note that the effects of their feeding may persist long after the mites have been eradicated. The Judo (spiromesifen) label recommends not spraying impatiens spp. (including New Guineas). Follow label precautions for crop safety. It is an very effective spray against broad mites. For vegetable plants see labels of Pylon and Minx.
Fact Sheet: Managing Cyclamen Mites and Broad Mites in Greenhouses
Tina Smith, University of Massachusetts and Leanne Pundt, University of Connecticut
