Histiostomatid mites

Affected crops. These mites primarily cause damage to vegetable crops grown in greenhouses, including tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. They are also known as significant pests in mushroom production facilities, where they feed on mycelium and sporocarps, significantly reducing the yield and marketable quality of mushrooms.

Biology and life cycle. The life cycle consists of egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, tritonymph, and adult stages. A key biological adaptation of this family is the ability to produce a deutonymph stage known as a hypopus, which is a specialized, resistant form used for dispersal by phoresy on other arthropods or for surviving harsh environmental conditions.

Nature of damage and harmfulness. Histiostomatid mites typically invade tissues that are already weakened or damaged. They consume plant cell contents and facilitate the entry of bacteria and fungi, causing soft rot. Infested plant tissues often show rapid decay, discoloration, and a foul odor, which makes the produce unsalable.

Control measures. Management relies heavily on cultural control practices. Maintaining proper hygiene in greenhouses, controlling humidity, and promptly removing decaying organic plant material are crucial steps. In severe infestations, registered acaricides may be applied, though success largely depends on reducing the moisture and organic waste levels in the growing environment.