Need help IDing mites on Den.

[Spookytica]

Hi, I'm new to the Board, and hope that someone can help me identify the type of pest that has gotten into/onto one of my small dens. The plant is a fairly recent division and is just starting to put out new roots and canes. But something is on the leaves. I think it may be mites. Can anyone confirm or tell me if it may be something else? I've never had insect problems before so don't know much about them. I hope the photos are good enough to ID. If not, I can take others.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[LILROCORCHIDS]

yes from the pick it does look like spidermite to me, they leave the undersides of leaves looking like a gray silverish speckles where they have sucked out juice from leaf .sometimes you can see small webbing in worse cases you have to look really close to see the actual bugs tiny dots maybe use magnifier .

Rocco

[Spookytica]

Thanks, Lilrocorchids. I got a magnifier and find very small red mites. If I move a leaf sheath I can see them crawling around. I found a pretty good article about mites on orchids and from what I read there, they are two spotted spider mites. I'm using insecticidal soap until a friend of mine gets me some predator mites on Monday. Here's the link if you care to have a look, and thanks for your help.

Most commonly either two-spotted spider mites or red spider mites - same beast – are your problem

[Spookytica]

I'm having trouble getting links to work... here it is
Most commonly either two-spotted spider mites or red spider mites - same beast – are your problem

[Gin]

Problem is the predator mites take to long to get them , the hatch cycle on mites is every 3 days the plant would be wrecked by the time the good mites did their thing . I would use the safers every 3 days 3 times washing the leaves before using , mites usually show up when the conditions are hot and dry.
I use a wet piece of T paper and run it across the under side of the leaves if orange/rusty colored smears show then they are there . Gin

[LILROCORCHIDS]

Glad I could help , Thanks for the article . I have seen numerous plants on the keys with mite damage so it's great you are bringing in some predator mites . I love the Keys .
Rocco