Recognise, prevent and control Cyclamen mites
Cyclamen mites (Phytonemus pallidus) belong to a family of soft-bodied mites (Tarsonemidae). This significant pest affects flowering pot plants. Especially Cyclamen, Gerbera, Begonia, and Chrysanthemum. Would you like to avoid or get rid of Cyclamen mites? Learn on how to recognise, prevent and control mites.
How to recognise Cyclamen mites
Mites are extremely small, measuring a maximum of 0.25 mm (0.009 inches). They are barely visible to the naked eye. However, you can identify them with a 10x magnifying glass.
They are semi-transparent, orange, pink and shiny with four pairs of legs and an oval-shaped body. The mites move slowly and feed on plant sap by piercing soft plant tissues.
Where can you find Cyclamen mites
Cyclamen mites have an extremely small size and often go unnoticed until plant damage is evident. Typically they stay in the heart of the plant. The mites prefer soft tissues such as flower buds, growing points, and curled leaves.
The optimal conditions for Cyclamen mites are relatively high temperatures in combination with a high humidity. Mites avoid direct sunlight and are sensitive to dehydration. Inside greenhouses you can find them year-round.
Signs of Cyclamen mite infestation
Cyclamen persicum with mites may show
- Bud damage: Cyclamen buds can be deformed, discolored and remain closed
- Leaf curling: leaves of infested Cyclamen can curl inwards or downwards
- Bronze colored foliage: especially the smaller leaves
- Distorted growth: new growth can look twisted, curled or stunted
- Infested flowers might appear small, deformed or fail to open
Cyclamen mite life cycle
The life cycle of Cyclamen mites consists of 4 stages:
- Eggs: Transparent and oval-shaped
- Larvae: Most damage occurs during the larval stage
- Nymph: Also known as resting stage. During this stage they remain still and don’t feed
- Adult: Semi-transparent and continue to feed
Cyclamen mite development
Mite development depends on both temperature and a prefered high humidity. Optimal conditions are temperatures between 20ºC and 25ºC (68°F and 77°F) in combination with a high humidity of 80% and 90%. During these conditions their entire lifecycle can be completed in 10 until 14 days.
In which each adult female can lay up to 50 eggs. This means that mites can grow in numbers from 10 towards 1.000.000 in just a few weeks. At lower temperatures and humidity, it takes longer.
"Cyclamen mites can grow in numbers from 10 towards 1.000.000 in just a few weeks"
Preventing Cyclamen mite
Prevention is key when it comes to Cyclamen mites. The pest develops quickly and can get out of hand if not detected/managed in time. There are several cultivation techniques to prevent or minimize Cyclamen mite infestation:
- Regular monitoring: Scout and inspect crops frequently for early signs of infestation
- Optimal growing conditions: Ensure good air circulation, reduce humidity and avoid excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers
- Use natural enemies
- Remove infested plants parts immediately and clean inside your greenhouse regularly
Cyclamen mite control
Use the integrated pest management (IPM) procedure, a combination of biological and chemical methods, to manage Cyclamen mite infestation effectively
Biological Control
Use predatory mites, such as:
- Neoseiulus californicus
- Neoseiulus cucumeris
- Transeius montdorensis
- Amblyseius swirskii
Chemical Control
Selective acaricides can be used for chemical control. However, their effectiveness is limited because of the hidden lifestyle of Cyclamen mites. Therefore, it is important to follow the integrated pest management (IPM) procedure and choose the correct spray method.
Not all chemicals can be used in combination with natural predators. Check the side effects to ensure compatibility with integrated cultivation.
Questions?
Do you have questions about Cyclamen mites or would you like to know more?