Jun 27

Pest of the Month April 2011 – Broad Mite

  • Hosts:  Guava, macadamia, mango, and Plumeria
  • Distribution: All of the major Hawaiian islands, Australia, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and the Pacific Islands
  • Damage:  Terminal leaf and flower buds become cupped and distorted, reduction in photosynthesis, corky brown areas between the main veins on the underside of leaves.
  • Management:  Biological control through locally occurring general mite feeders.  Chemical control with Vendex, diazinon, and Endosulfan. 

Source: Polyphagotasonemus latus (Banks), Broad Mite, by Jayma L. Martin Kessing and Ronald F. L. Mau, University of Hawaii Department of Entomology, Crop Knowledge Master, March 1993.  Updated by J. M. Diez April 2007.

Broad mite injury on Jatropha. Photo by Dr. Scot Nelson, UH CTAHR.

 

Carol Kwan