BULB MITES
- Rhizoglyphus spp. have been found in several
countries including the USA, Canada and Europe. These
are very small shiny whitish mites with reddish brown
legs, sometimes having two brown spots on the back.
Bulb mites feed in colonies in rotting tissue, usually
at or below ground level, and are found on many different
plants. You may see groups of tiny white specks some
of which, if you watch very carefully, may be observed
to be moving slowly. A magnifying lens is necessary
for more detailed inspection. While they are often
secondary to some other damage to the plant such as
mechanical injury, insects etc., these mites are also
thought capable of attacking healthy tissue and can
introduce diseases with the pathogens they carry. Bulb
mites can survive in the absence of a growing plant
by feeding on other organic matter. If plants are growing
poorly, send a sample to your Extension Diagnostic
Service, or your country's equivalent, for investigation
and advice. |
