Tarsonemid mites (Tarsonemidae)

Taxonomically, they are classified under the order Acariformes and the family Tarsonemidae. Important members of this family include the cyclamen mite (Phytonemus pallidus) and the broad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus), both of which are notorious for attacking the growing points of plants.

These pests target numerous plants, including strawberries, raspberries, and many greenhouse ornamentals like cyclamens, impatiens, and begonias. They thrive in environments with high humidity and moderate temperatures, often clustering in the meristematic tissues where they can easily feed and reproduce.

The biology of these mites is characterized by a rapid life cycle, which allows populations to explode in favorable greenhouse conditions. Female mites overwinter in the crevices of dormant plants or under leaf scales, emerging in the spring to lay eggs directly onto young, expanding leaf tissues.

The damage caused by tarsonemids is distinct and often manifests as leaf curling, bronzing, distortion, and stunted growth. Because they inject toxins during feeding, the plant often exhibits systemic-like symptoms, even if the mites themselves are concentrated in a very small area of the canopy.

• Utilizing clean, certified disease-free propagation material.
• Improving greenhouse ventilation to reduce relative humidity.
• Implementing regular monitoring using high-magnification hand lenses.
• Releasing biological control agents like predatory mites for IPM programs.
• Applying specific acaricides targeted at mites to minimize population spread.