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White mite or white spider: what it is, how it originates, and how to eliminate it effectively
White Mite Or White Spider
Polyphagotarsonemus Latus
Pathogen:
Insect
Type:
Risk to the plant:
HIGH
DESCRIPTION
WHO CAUSES IT?
Polyphagotarsonemus latus, commonly known as the white mite or white spider, is a small mite that infests a variety of plants, including the fig or fig tree. Adults are tiny, about 0.2 mm in length, and have a translucent white oval body. The female lays spherical, transparent eggs on the underside of the leaves. These eggs hatch into larvae that, after feeding for several days, transform into nymphs. Nymphs go through a quiescent stage before becoming adults. This pathogen reproduces rapidly under favorable conditions, completing its development in approximately one week. Mites feed by piercing the epidermal cells of the leaves and sucking out the cellular contents, causing significant damage to the plant. Reproduction is continuous throughout the year in warm climates, with multiple generations overlapping, thus increasing the density of the mite population in a short time.
SYMPTOMS
The infestation of Polyphagotarsonemus latus on fig or fig tree causes the disease known as white mite or white spider. This disease manifests itself through various symptoms on the plant, mainly affecting the leaves and young shoots. Infected leaves show deformations and color changes that reduce the photosynthetic capacity of the plant, weakening it.
- Rolled and deformed leaves.
- Yellowish and tan coloration on the leaves.
- Appearance of black Taches on the leaves.
- Delayed growth of young shoots.
- Necrosis on the edges of the leaves.
- Small and deformed fruits.
- Loss of leaves in severe cases.
- General reduction in plant vitality.
- Decrease in the production and quality of the fruits.
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
25°C - 30°C
60% - 80%
HOW IS IT SPREAD?
Wind, Contaminated tools, Workers' clothing and hands, Infested seedlings, Contaminated plant material, Vector insects, Direct contact between plants
HOW TO REMOVE IT?
Home remedies
There are no home treatments
Chemical treatments
• RAPE OIL 70% + PYRETHRINS 0.7% [EC] P/V
• ORANGE OIL 60g/L [ME] P/S
• PARAFFIN OIL (CAS [64742-46-7]) 79% [EC] P/V
• PARAFFIN OIL (CAS [8042-47-5]) 54.6% [EW] P/V
• PARAFFIN OIL (CAS [97862-82-3]) 40% [EW] P/V
• SULFUR 70% [SC] P/V
• SULFUR 80% [WG] P/P
• ALUMINUM PHOSPHIDE 56% (0.6 G/TABLET) [GE] P/P
• ALUMINUM PHOSPHIDE 56% (3 G/TABLET) [GE] P/P
• ALUMINUM PHOSPHIDE 56% [GE] P/P
• LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN 10% [CS] P/V
• MALTODEXTRIN 47.6% [SL] P/V
• POTASSIUM SALTS OF FATTY ACIDS C14-C20 48% [EW] P/V
• DIATOMAEAN EARTH 100% [CP] P/P
Treatments allowed in organic farming
• RAPE OIL 70% + PYRETHRINS 0.7% [EC] P/V
• ORANGE OIL 60g/L [ME] P/S
• PARAFFIN OIL (CAS [64742-46-7]) 79% [EC] P/V
• PARAFFIN OIL (CAS [8042-47-5]) 54.6% [EW] P/V
• PARAFFIN OIL (CAS [97862-82-3]) 40% [EW] P/V
• SULFUR 70% [SC] P/V
• SULFUR 80% [WG] P/P
• LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN 10% [CS] P/V
• MALTODEXTRIN 47.6% [SL] P/V
• POTASSIUM SALTS OF FATTY ACIDS C14-C20 48% [EW] P/V
• DIATOMAEAN EARTH 100% [CP] P/P
Insect allies
PREDATORY MITES
LADYBUGS
LACEWINGS
PARASITIC WASPS
HOVERFLIES OR PARASITIC FLIES
PREDATORY BUGS
There are no natural allies
Mycodiplosis oidii (predatory mosquito)
EFFECTIVE PRODUCTS TO ELIMINATE THIS DISEASE
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- Regularly monitor plants for the early presence of mites.
- Maintain adequate hygiene in the garden, eliminating plant debris and weeds.
- Use mineral oils or insecticidal soaps to physically control mites.
- Apply specific acaricides on a rotating basis to avoid resistance.
- Introduce natural enemies, such as predatory mites, for biological control.
- Avoid excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers, which can favor the development of mites.
- Provide adequate irrigation to keep plants healthy and less susceptible to infestations.
- Carry out appropriate pruning to improve air circulation and reduce humidity in the crown of the plant.
- Promote biodiversity in the garden to promote a natural balance of pests and predators.
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