Broad mite, herbaceous perennials

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IPM Scouting in Herbaceous Perennials

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Broad mite

Broad mite resembles cyclamen mite in size and appearance. The primary difference is that broad mite eggs have noticeable bumps on the surface and cyclamen mite eggs are smooth.

Management: Dispose of all plants exhibiting symptoms of broad mite damage. Also, remove all plants within 1 foot of damaged plants. Broad mite control with miticides is difficult because they tend to be located in hidden, hard-to-reach areas.


Broad mite feeding results in curled, distorted and cupped or puckered leaves. In addition, infected leaves may appear glossy or silvery and are harder than normal. Newly emerging leaves may also look shiny and brittle.	Broad mite adults are 0.25 mm long and invisible to the naked eye. They are oval to elongated and white or amber-colored.

This information was developed from A Pocket Guide for IPM Scouting in Herbaceous Perennials by Jan Byrne and Raymond A. Cloyd. Purchase this in a pocket-sized guide for reference in the orchard from MSU Extension (publication E-2981).

The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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Updated 8/07/07