I ’ve been getting a lot of outcry lately aboutBroad Mites(Polyphagotarsonemus latus ) in crops like New Guinea impatiens , torenia , begonia , exacum , ipomea and gerbera . Broad mitecan also assault chrysanthemums , so it ’s fourth dimension to set off thinking about controller of this pest as you ’re sticking your new cutting . Read on for tips on monitoring and control .
Monitoring:
unluckily , across-the-board mite ’s small size ( 0.2 mm ) mean thatspotting the mite is near inconceivable with just a hand lens system . Damage is usually the first sign , so susceptible crops should be walked and scrutinise regularly . legal injury can happen at very low mite densities , and looks like this :
And this :
Is it broad mite? Or something else?
if terms from broad mite is distrust , it ’s important toconfirm the diagnosisby actually seeing the touch using a microscope ( or having them confirmed by myself or an experienced scout),sincebroad mitedamage can easily be confuse with thing like :
You may not see the adult tinge themselves , but spotting even 1 egg(see picture below),along with characteristic damage , is usually enough to confirm that broadmite is the perpetrator .
However , if you grow a mint of susceptible crops(refer to this tilt of“magnet ” crops ) , or you ’ve regularly had unspecific mite issues in the past , you may want to think a more rigorous monitoring authorities specific to this pestilence . This regard taking random samples of meristem , wash off them in alcoholic drink , and inspecting the contents under a microscope on a even foundation . Details of this proficiency can be foundhere .
Buds become discolored and malformed. Flowers are prevented from fully developing. Petioles and internodes become shortened.
I’ve confirmed broad mite: Now what?
biologic control is an efficacious choice . Neoseiulus cucumeris , N. californicusandA. swirskiican all inhibit this pest . Beneficial pinch should beintroduced early in the harvest cycleof susceptible craw to preclude broad mite from establishing . For more details onbiocontrol of broad touch , take a look at these article fromMichigan State ExtensionandDr . Rose Buitenhuis ( Vineland Research )
Miticides are another pick . However , it ’s often unclearwhichmiticides are effective against mite pests besides spider mites . For broad soupcon , here are the efficient product * :
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Buds become discolored and malformed. Flowers are prevented from fully developing. Petioles and internodes become shortened.
Adult and eggs of broad mite.
