Cyclamen Mites (5704)

Cyclamen mites attack a variety of houseplants, including cyclamen, begonias, kalanchoes (kal-en-koe’-ee), African violets, and others.  Infested plants may exhibit the following symptoms:  new growth is stunted, leaves become distorted, buds fail to open, or flowers are small and distorted.  The leaves become brittle and may change color from green to bronze, gray, or tan.  The tiny mites feed about the base of the plant, in the buds, or on injured areas on the leaves.  You cannot see them with the naked eye.

Cyclamen mites are very difficult to control.  Isolate any infested plants immediately.  Discard badly damaged plants. Handle infested plants last when you water or care for your houseplants.  You can move cyclamen mites from one plant to another on your hands or clothing.  Cyclamen mites do not fly, but they will move readily from one plant to another.  Be sure that possibly infested plants do not touch a healthy plant.  Spray infested plants with a miticide or insecticide that is labeled for use on cyclamen mites and houseplants.

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

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