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Broad Mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) will damage a wide range of plants including Peppers and ornamental plants such as Azaleas, Begonias, Cyclamens and Gerberas. The life cycle contains egg, larval and adult stages. Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves and are generally transparent. The adult Broad Mites are oval shaped and about 0.2mm in length. The mites are normally pale yellow but this colour can vary depending on what they are feeding on. Females will often have a white stripe on their back.
Broad Mite damage symptoms are similar in effect to plant viruses. Infested plants show distorted growing tips and curled up leaves. Broad Mites suck out the contents of plant cells and secrete substances onto leaves which are harmful to the plants. Leaves turn brown, especially around the edges, and brown patches may also appear on plant stems. The mites prefer feeding on young growth such as the growing tips, young leaves and even flower buds. In large numbers Broad Mites can kill off growing tips and, in severe cases, cause plant death.
Try to manually remove and dispose of infested leaves. Try also to reduce the relative humidity where your plants are situated, this will slow Broad Mite development. There are several predatory mites that feed on Broad Mite adults and eggs. Dragonfli supply Broad Mite Killer which contains Amblyseius andersoni. These predators can be released on plants indoors and outdoors for Broad Mite control. Additional predators that feed on Broad Mite include; Amblyseius californicus, Amblyseius swirskii and Amblyseius cucumeris.
