Common Name: Broad mites
Scientific Name: Polyphagotarsonemus latus
Order and Family: Trombidiformes, Tarsonemidae
Host range
Broad mites have a vast host range, affecting over 60 plant families. They are particularly problematic in peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, and a variety of ornamental plants including begonias, gerberas, and african violets.
Signs & Symptoms
Broad mite damage can often be mistaken for plant diseases or nutritional deficiencies. Infected plants exhibit curled, twisted, and distorted growth, particularly in young leaves and emerging flower buds. The leaves may take on a bronze or rust coloration, while flowers can become discoloured and fail to open properly.
Featured Characteristics
Eggs: Broad mite eggs are one of the easiest way to ID the pest. Here’s how you can identify broad mite infestation through their eggs:
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Egg appearance: Broad mite eggs are oval but have a distinctive feature: they are covered with white, dot-like bumps on the surface, making them look somewhat like a jeweled transulcent ball under a microscope.
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Size: Broad mite eggs are very tiny, approximately 0.08mm to be exact. A strong magnifying lens or a microscope is needed to see these mites.
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Location of eggs: Look for these eggs on the undersides of young leaves or near the growing tips of the plant, as broad mites prefer to lay their eggs in these areas.
Life cycle
Adult females live on average 13 days, depositing about 5 eggs. The eggs are translucent with white dots. After 2-3 days, these eggs hatch to tiny larva which start feeding. The larvae does not travel far and after another 2-3 days the larvae develop in to quiescent stage. Males develop their four pair of legs and start to pick up the females and disperse them to new areas of the plant. The males immediately mate with the females as soon as it emerges.
Biocontrol Predators
CaliLiv & SwiLiv (Amblyseius swirskii) have shown good results for preventative control of broad mites. CucuLiv (Neoseiulus cucumeris) can also help against broad mites in the cooler months.
Sources
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Tsatsia, H., & Jackson, G. (2021). [Image of broad mite damage in peppers]. In Capsicum broad mite (049). Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds. Retrieved from https://apps.lucidcentral.org/pppw_v10/text/web_full/entities/capsicum_broad_mite_049.htm
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Renkema, J. M., LeFors, J. A., & Johnson, D. T. (2017). [Image of broad mite damage in strawberries]. Developmental stages (ABC) of broad mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) and damage to strawberry leaves and fruit [Figure]. In First report of broad mite (Acari: Tarsonemidae) on commercial strawberry in Florida. Florida Entomologist. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Developmental-stages-A-B-C-of-broad-mite-Polyphagotarsonemus-latus-Banks-and-damage_fig1_322150942
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Government of Ontario. (2014). Mite pests in greenhouse crops: Description, biology, and management. Retrieved from https://www.ontario.ca/page/mite-pests-greenhouse-crops-description-biology-and-management
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Utah State University Extension. (n.d.). Broad Mite. Retrieved from https://extension.usu.edu/pests/ipm/notes_ag/hemp-broad-mite