Yikes! Little brown critters on my colocasia!

I'd really appreciate it if anyone could tell me what this is on my colocasia esculenta. I grew this one indoors over the winter from a bulb in sunny window. Last time I looked at the leaves closely, it was fine, about 2 weeks ago. Then, I saw one of them had gone a bit brown around the edges and curled up. That's when I discovered these little brown thingies, along with white stuff that looks sort of like salt or tiny sand, on the other leaf.

Would like to know what it is and what to do. TIA!!

Deb
PS/and will it contaminate the other plants that are next to it?

This message was edited Feb 9, 2007 9:42 AM

first ALWAYS isolate and plant with insects as they WILL spread to other plants nearby. Look like spiderites (clover mites) to me. Use a safe indoor insecticide and rinse the leaves a couple of times a day top and bottom of the leaves ,use a spray bottle/mister bottle.Mites hate humidity and water so that will usually clear them up.The damaged leaves will always look bad so as new ones grow cut these off. Does that make sense??
Kyle

Absolutely makes sense. I have been misting and keep a humidity tray there, but it turned colder in the last 2 weeks and the heat has been on alot more. Must've gotten too dry.

Any examples you can tell me of a "safe indoor insecticide"?

Thanks so much for your quick response.

Deb

Safer soap. Or you could use the ol' dish soap in the mister trick!

Aha! A little misting of "Dawn"? That I can do. So, how 'bout I wash down the leaves with a little soapy water and then mist a few times with the same in the next couple of days. ??

Deb

A sponge and a bucket of soapy water can be used as well.

Thanks everybody!

CAUTION!!!!!
Safer is great but spray the plant where it is dark. Intense light on the leaves before the spray is dry can cause burns. Either spray at night or move to a bathroom/closet. You need to spray for three days to break the cycle of spidermites.

ROX

Gotcha - and thanks,
Deb