Photos of Plumeria Infected with Broad/Cyclamen type mites

I just started growing Plumerias this year, but I have been growing and hybridizing Brugmansia for many years. About three or four years ago I started to have problems with a new insect pest on my Brugmansia; Broad and/or Cyclamen type mites. Before then the only type of mite that I had a problem with was Spider Mites.

Even though Spider Mites can seem to be hard to control and the damage they can do to plants be extensive, they can not hold a candle to the Broad/Cyclamen Mites. (This is just my humble opinion after having to deal with Broad Mites).

Keeping the humidity up on plants infected with spider mites goes a long way in helping to control them. This is not the case with the Broad Mites, they are TRUELY a pain the a_ _ to deal with. I consider broad mites the most destructive and hardest to control insect pest of any pest that I have to deal with.

After having to deal with broad type mites for awhile the symptoms are easily recognized. You will notice some of the leaves to "curl" under, the leaves will develop a thick, brittle feel to them and finally, they will destroy any new growth at the growing tip of the plant infected.

Also, with spider mites you can see the webbing they make and the mites themselves. This is not the case with Broad Mites, they are microscopic. You need a microscope to see them and they are so small that they can be transmitted to nearby plants on the feet of whiteflies!!!

For those of you who are growing brugmansia along with your plumerias please be on the look out for these pests, especially if you have purchased or traded for brugmansia in the past year or so. Many brugmansia collectors and growers have had to deal with these pests in the past few years. It almost seems like they have become the new plague of brug growers.

I am going to post a couple of pictures showing what Plumerias look like when infected with the Broad/Cyclamen type mites. I'll come back in the next day or so and post more on the subject of Broad mites and how to deal with them.


This message was edited Aug 26, 2007 11:56 PM

Another picture of Plumeria infected with Broad Mites.

Thanks for the heads up. What can we do to protect our plants?

Oh my goodness!! I guess I better go look at mine. I used to grow brugs but stopped because of the frustrations with the broad mites. Hate to think they like plummies as well.

Thanks David for the very informative post. I am new to brugs and plumeria and the thought that these little buggers could cause such destruction makes my skin crawl. What treatments have you found to be effective?

Jasmyne

Thanks, David. Thanks for posting this. I use a product called Forbid and alternate with Neem, Avid, and Insecticidal Soap. I get at three three types of Spider Mites here. I don't think I get Broad Mite damage here though.

Lisa, I know exactly what you mean about becoming so frustrated with dealing with broad mites when growing brugs.

Clare, it seems that you have your mite control program down pat. And doing exactly what should be done when using Forbid and Avid to control mites, that is, using a scheduled product rotation. Because that many growers (mainly commercial) continue to use the same product repeatedly, the mites (all species), are quickly becoming resistant to products like Forbid and Avid.

Dutchlady1 and Jasmyne, the products and rotation of products that Clare mentioned is the very best way to control the broad mites. Personally, I can't afford products like Avid and Forbid due to their high price. But these products are VERY effective, probably the best to use in controling mites. I use horticultural oils like Neem, Oil-Away, etc. They are not as effective as Forbid and Avid, but they can do the job if you are diligent in spraying. But you do risk damaging the foliage of the plant you are spraying when using oils in hot weather. You really can't use the oils when the temps are 90 degrees or higher. That is why I have such a bad infestation right now. Our temps for the past month and a half have been in the low to mid 90's, which has keep me from spraying them with the hort. oils. But now that the temps have cooled down I will be able to go at them hot and heavy, heavy handed on the oil that is. LOL

I have however, found out that there is a predatory mite species that is readily available that I plan to use starting next year. Below is a link to a post that I made on the brug forum about broad mites.

I hope that you will find the information helpful. And I hope that no one has to deal with a bad infestation of broad mites.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=3889275

Thanks for all that info., David. Here is a list of miticides that will work: http://rosemania.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page9.html That systemic formerly called Isotox can be found at Home Depot for under $20. I like Forbid because you can spray the top side of the leaves, and it will be effective on the undersides as well as kills eggs.

David, I've been spraying the oils in the early evening when the sun is going down. It doesn't seem to affect the leaves in full sun the next day. Have you used Bayer 2 in 1 Systemic? I've used that too but in smaller doses than is recommended for roses.

It would be nice if the predatory mites would be effective, but from what I have heard of them in the past, the numbers are too great for them to make a difference. Good luck and please post your results and experience with them.

I have two plumerias with mites. This is the first time I have had this problem. Additionally, I have some seedlings infested with whiteflies. I have tried everything to no avail. I just broke down and ordered some Avid. I hope that does the trick.