Appearance
- Cyclamen mites are tiny pests that attack a wide range of flowers, usually in spring and late summer or fall when humidity is high.
Photo: John Davidson
Life cycle/habits
- Cyclamen mites usually come in on greenhouse plants or migrate in from strawberry plantings and are difficult to control when conditions favor their growth.
- The mite injects a growth regulator into foliage while feeding that causes leaves to twist and crinkle and sometimes become very large. The symptoms mimic virus injury.
Host plants
- Cyclamen mites can be a minor pest of pepper and tomato.
Signs/symptoms
- Fruit feeding produces a dramatic russeting - usually at the stem end.
- Fruits appear to be covered with a very fine, brown netting that feels slightly rough.
Management
Remove distorted leaves and injured fruit.