Broad Mites
Thursday, 23 June 2005 13:36
Tarsononemid mites including cyclamen mite and broad mite can cause serious damage to a wide range of greenhouse crops. Damage from broad mites appeared on New Guinea impatiens, garden impatiens and dahlias this week. Broad mites can also be a problem on African violet, ageratum, azalea, begonia, dahlia, gerbera, gloxinia, ivy, jasmine, impatiens, lantana, marigold, snapdragon, verbena, zinnia and vegetable plants. Broad mites inject a toxin from their saliva as they feed. Their toxic saliva 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 mites are extremely small which makes them difficult to detect before severe feeding damage appears. Both broad mites and cyclamen mites are too small to be seen without the aid of a microscope. If characteristic symptoms are seen, send samples to a diagnostic laboratory that can inspect samples under a microscope.
Mites can be spread by workers' hands or on clothing. Infested hanging plants can infest plants below. If detected early, rogue infected plants as soon as possible. The following pesticides are registered for broad mites: abamectin (Avid), bifenthrin (Talstar Flowable, Talstar Nursery Flowable), chlorfenapyr (Pylon), dicofol (Kelthane), pyridaben (Sanmite), fenpyroximate (Akari). Repeat applications are usually necessary. The effects of their feeding may persist long after the mites have been eradicated.
Photos: Broad mite injury on peppers
Injury to New Guinea impatiens and garden impatiens
Fact Sheet: Managing Cyclamen Mites and Broad Mites in the Greenhouse
Information on sending samples to the UMass Plant Diagnostic Laboratory
Tina
