Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Mini Fact Sheet Edition

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Capsicum broad mite (049)

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Photo 1. Early symptoms of broad mite attack on capsicum caused by Polyphagotarsonemus latus.

Photo 2. Extensive damage of the young leaves caused by the broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus.

Photo 3. Deformed leaves with mosaic (light and dark green), virus-like, symptoms on capsicum caused by the broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus.

Photo 4. Early symptoms on capsicum, showing stunted, strap-like deformed leaves, caused by the mite, polyphagotarsonemus latus.

Photo 5. Tomato with severe infestation of the broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, growing in a plastic tunnel enclosure. 

Summary

• Worldwide distribution. Capsicum, chilli, tomato are the main hosts, but also on many other crops, e.g., bean, eggplant, papaya, mango and avocado. An important pest.
• Mites are 0.15 mm, and cannot be seen by eye alone. They live in the buds, feeding on the leaves causing shoots to twist, curl, turn brown, and stop growing. Worse under shade or in screenhouses. 
• Cultural control: if only a few plants have symptoms, pull out and burn; if many, replant; do not plant next to older infested plants, or downwind from them.
• Chemical control: garlic, derris, wettable sulphur, abamectin; use soap, white or horticultural oil (repeat after 7 days as these chemicals do not kill eggs).

Common Name

 Capsicum broad mite

Scientific Name

 Polyphagotarsonemus latus. Previously known as Hemitarsonemus latus.

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