Tarsonemid mites
Pest mite
- No particular symptoms
- Deformation of new shoots
- Aborted buds and floral buds
- Atrophy of stems
- Corky scars
- Slowed growth
| Difficulty Very high |
| Frquency Low |
| Reproductive rate Up to 40x |
| Lifecycle Up to 15 days |
Tarsonemid mites, also known as Broad Mites or Cyclamen Mites, form a family of microscopic pest mites. The bites they inflict on leaves to feed cause significant damage to infested plants.
Host plants
Various species of tarsonemid mites attack a wide variety of plants, with those weakened by dehydration typically being affected first.
Plants from large-scale floral arrangements such as begonias, impatiens, cyclamens, chrysanthemums, gerberas, geraniums, and ivy are particularly at risk. African violets are also a prime target.
Screening
Toxins secreted by tarsonemid mites cause deformations, atrophies, and corky scars on leaves and stems. Damage to leaves is concentrated on their undersides.
Plants affected by tarsonemid mites only show symptoms in the advanced stage of infestation. The damage caused is irreversible.
Prevention
Tarsonemid mites are highly contagious; transmission can occur through various objects, air currents, and even other insects. They are not adapted to the continental climate and cannot survive exposure to winter conditions. Plants from large-scale indoor cultivation are thus the main sources of transmission. Quarantine, disinfection of growing equipment, and introduction of natural predators are the most effective means to prevent tarsonemid mites infestation.
Neoseiulus cucumeris, Amblyseius swirskii, and Amblyseius californicus sachets are excellent tools for tarsonemid mites prevention.
Treatment
Thorough plant cleaning and application of contact insecticide have limited effectiveness against tarsonemid mites, as they remain partly sheltered. Thermal treatment through heat or cold is feasible for plants that can tolerate it.
Bulk Neoseiulus cucumeris and Amblyseius swirskii are recommended for treating tarsonemid mites.
In severe cases, treatment can be very difficult, even impossible, and complete elimination or pruning of the plant should be considered.
Products
Morphology
Both the egg and the adult are oval and translucent. They are invisible to the naked eye. The adult has 4 pairs of legs and measures less than 0.2 millimeters in length.
Phytonemus pallidus, or strawberry tarsonemid, is beige-white or reddish-white. Polyphagotarsonemus latus, or broad tarsonemid, is amber-colored, and its eggs are covered in small white dots.
Behaviour
The insect avoids light and concentrates on the plant's growing points, especially in buds and floral buds. It requires high humidity levels.
Lifecycle
The tarsonemid mites life cycle consists of 4 stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Individuals reach adulthood in 4 to 15 days depending on the species and environmental conditions.