Broad Mite

Broad Mite
Polyphagotarsonemus latus

Damage symptoms

Damage is usually confined to undersides of leaves, where areas between veins are brownish and dried out and brittle in severe cases. Young leaves are cupped downward and narrower than normal.


Mite characteristics

Individuals are extremely small, about the size of a grain of sand, and not clearly visible to the naked eye. They are found in groups hidden around the mid-vein on the undersides of the leaves. They appear crablike and are yellow or white.


Where to look

Locate leaves with a brownish cast, preferably young leaves that are beginning to curl under. With a 10x magnifying glass, look at areas on the undersides of the leaves around the mid-vein. There you should see the crablike mites. Definitive identification of species should be reserved for an expert.


Technical information

Females lay eggs singly on the surface of the leaves. These eggs are white, oval, and extremely large compared to adults that lay them. Populations are continual but appear to be limited at high temperatures. Broad mites also feed on tomato, potato, beans, and pepper.

Wilting


Figure of mite


Surface damage