Mites but...don't seem like spider mites...

[Hakumin]

So, I have mites on a couple of my orchids, and I've been trying to get rid of them for a goodly amount of time now.

However, the problem is, it seems like these little buggers aren't spider mites. They are most certainly not two spotted spider mites, as looking at them with a jeweler's loupe shows absolutely no trace of the characteristic two spots. In addition, I rarely ever find them on the leaves, and they seem to stay on the roots, scrambling for the crevices between the roots and sphagnum if agitated. Their behavior and conditions when they appear seem very unlike spider mites.

I've done some mad scientist (and potentially cruel) experiments with a few of the mites i'd isolated. I've dabbed them with isopropyl, cinnamon extract, and even a 0.2% pyrethrin spray, and the damn things won't seem to die!

Because of this, I've been looking online at various mites, and to my surprise, these mites look most like Tyrophagus putrescentiae...aka mould mites.

Stages of Development | PaDIL Plant Biosecurity Toolbox

Is it possible to get these in your orchid potting mix?

Supposedly they eat mold, various fungi, and algae, as well as decaying matter, so it seems like it might actually be possible. But I don't know, I've never seen anyone mention them before...

If you watch this video, and pause it at 3:29, there's a mite in the middle of the frame that looks exactly like the buggers on mine, including the blackish dot in the middle of it...

aspergillus fumigatus botrytis mucor trichoderma cladosporium - YouTube

So has anyone else encountered these before?

[orchidsamore]

I have never seen them, but then I have never had spider mites either.

I spray my plants monthly with Vermi-liquid also called worm tea (not compose tea) which has a chemical in it called ceitanese, which dissolves ceitain. Since ceitain is the skeleton of the insect it dissolves them and also their egg shells.

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by orchidsamore

I spray my plants monthly with Vermi-liquid also called worm tea (not compose tea) which has a chemical in it called ceitanese, which dissolves ceitain. Since ceitain is the skeleton of the insect it dissolves them and also their egg shells.

Do you mean 'chitin' and 'chitinase'?

I did a search on 'ceitain' 'ceitanese' on google and nothing comes up pertinent to the topic, and some quick research indicates that fungal cell walls and arthropod exoskeletons are made of chitin.

[orchidsamore]

thanks for the correction of the spelling. I am sure it is the same. I have used that spelling hundreds of times and you are the first to correct the speling.

Either spelling it is my favorite organic pesticide.

[Hakumin]

I'll add that to my list of weapons to try....hopefully something on my list'll kill them....I just got my hands on some Diatomaceous earth...if that doesn't work i'll try the worm tea...

[Irielicious]

Originally Posted by orchidsamore

I have never seen them, but then I have never had spider mites either.

I spray my plants monthly with Vermi-liquid also called worm tea (not compose tea) which has a chemical in it called ceitanese, which dissolves ceitain. Since ceitain is the skeleton of the insect it dissolves them and also their egg shells.

Could you please post the exact product you use and where you get it??? I have a spider mite issue ATM and would like to prevent future issues with a product like you describe. Thanks