Spider Mite ID Request

[djf051]

Hi. I've had an infestation of two-spotted false spider mites on my orchids - very easy to see and identify with a ten-power hand lens. Almost three weeks ago I treated them all with insecticidal soap and a miticide (Tau-Fluvalinate).

Inspecting them now I see what I'm pretty sure is another species of mite. First it's transparent/translucent white - not a hint of color, but with a rounder shape, and a single, dark gray spot in the middle of it's body. It's definitely not as narrow as the two-spotted I've seen before.

These new mites may have come from one or more of the three new orchids I have added to my collection after the treatment. I did inspect each very carefully and thoroughly and found no mites or eggs or any leaf damage. I know you're supposed to quarantine new orchids, but I really don't have anywhere to do that.

Can anyone tell me these "new" mites are in fact not two-spotted, and if not, are they still a pest?

[No-Pro-mwa]

I'll give you a bump but can't answer your question.

[euplusia]

They may be juvenile forms. Repeated treatment is a must, and regardless if it is the same species or another one, mites cause severe damage to orchids. Best is to combine two or three miticides.

[lepetitmartien]

oh sh… lost my huge answer…

I'll try to come back to rewrite something even better…

[djf051]

Originally Posted by euplusia

They may be juvenile forms. Repeated treatment is a must, and regardless if it is the same species or another one, mites cause severe damage to orchids. Best is to combine two or three miticides.

The mites I describe are not two-spotted, nor the Phalaenopsis mite, nor Brevipalpus californicus. They look most like the predatory mite used commercially to control thrips, Amblyseius cucumeris. I've had the two-spotted mites before, a long time ago, and I was able to control them with repeated applications of insecticidal soap.

[Jesse85]

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