What is a flower mite? - briefly
A flower mite is a microscopic arachnid that inhabits flowering plants, extracting nutrients from pollen, nectar, or plant tissue. It belongs to the family Tarsonemidae and may cause discoloration or reduced vigor in affected crops.
What is a flower mite? - in detail
The flower mite is a microscopic arachnid belonging to the family Eriophyidae. Individuals measure 0.1–0.3 mm in length, possess elongated bodies, and lack eyes. Their mouthparts consist of two chelicerae adapted for piercing plant tissues and extracting cell contents.
Taxonomic placement:
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Arachnida
- Subclass: Acari
- Order: Trombidiformes
- Family: Eriophyidae
Morphological features include a soft, vermiform body divided into a gnathosoma (feeding region) and an idiosoma (main body). The ventral surface bears a pair of opisthosomal setae that function in locomotion across host surfaces. Leg count is reduced to two pairs, each bearing sensory setae for detecting chemical cues on plant surfaces.
Life cycle proceeds through egg, larva, protonymph, and adult stages. Eggs are deposited on the underside of leaves or within flower buds, protected by a thin silk membrane. Development from egg to adult requires 5–10 days under optimal temperature (20–25 °C) and humidity (70–80 %). The protonymph undergoes a single molt before reaching maturity. Females are capable of parthenogenetic reproduction, producing multiple clutches throughout the growing season.
Ecological preferences encompass a wide range of herbaceous and woody plants. Host specificity varies: some species infest a single plant genus, while others exploit numerous ornamental and crop species. Feeding activity induces discoloration, stunted growth, and deformation of floral structures. In severe infestations, the accumulation of honeydew promotes secondary fungal growth, further compromising plant health.
Management strategies focus on monitoring and control:
- Regular inspection of foliage and buds for characteristic linear feeding scars and webbing.
- Application of miticides with proven efficacy against eriophyid mites, following label recommendations to prevent resistance.
- Introduction of predatory phytoseiid mites (e.g., Amblyseius swirskii) that prey on early life stages.
- Cultural practices such as pruning infested shoots and maintaining adequate air circulation to reduce humidity favored by mite proliferation.
Current research emphasizes the genetic basis of host adaptation and the development of resistant plant cultivars. Molecular diagnostics employing polymerase chain reaction enable rapid identification of mite species, facilitating targeted interventions.