Pest profile

Broad Mite

Polyphagotarsonemus latus · Trombidiformes: Tarsonemidae[3]

Broad mites are microscopic mites that twist, cup and stunt new leaves and flowers on a wide range of plants, from blackberries and peppers to African violets.[1][2]

Pepper plant with narrow, cupped new leaves, the distorted growth broad mites cause
Pepper plant with narrow, cupped new leaves, the distorted growth broad mites cause. (c) Bonnie Semmling, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • Females are about 0.2 mm long, oval and light yellow to amber or green; it takes at least a 10x hand lens, ideally 30 to 60x, to see them.[2][1]
  • The eggs are distinctive: clear ovals dotted with white tufts on top.[2][1]
  • Usually the first sign is twisted, cupped leaves and stunted tips, which can be mistaken for herbicide injury, boron deficiency or fire blight.[2][1]

Where it lives

It occurs worldwide; in temperate areas it's mainly a greenhouse pest, and since 2013 it has damaged primocane blackberries in Pennsylvania and other eastern states.[2][1]

Biology and life cycle

Females lay 30 to 76 eggs over 8 to 13 days on leaf undersides and small fruit, and the eggs hatch in two or three days.[2]

Males carry immature females to new leaves, spreading the colony, and mites can also hitch rides on whiteflies and aphids.[2][1]

Hosts include chili peppers, tomatoes, citrus and mango and ornamentals such as African violet, begonia, impatiens, gerbera and azalea.[2]

Damage and signs

  • Toxic saliva makes new growth twisted, hardened and distorted; leaves turn down and coppery or purplish, and flowers may abort.[2]
  • On blackberries, flower clusters look compressed or dry up, and broad mites can cause nearly total crop loss on primocane-fruiting varieties.[1]

Health risk

It feeds on plants; Penn State Extension and UF/IFAS mention no risk to people.[1][2]

Control

Prevention

Start with clean plants: early blackberry infestations may have come from greenhouse-propagated plants, and mites also travel on tools.[1]

Sanitation

If only a plant or two shows symptoms, remove them along with a couple of plants on each side.[1]

Biological control

Predatory mites are available, especially for greenhouses; avoid broad-spectrum insecticides so natural enemies survive.[2][1]

Pesticides

UF/IFAS notes that insecticidal oils or soaps are usually as effective as miticides and less harmful to the environment.[2]

Common questions

Why are the new leaves on my pepper plant twisted and cupped?
Broad mites are one cause; their saliva distorts new growth, though herbicide injury and boron deficiency can look similar.[2]
Can I see broad mites?
Not with the naked eye; Penn State says they take 30 to 60x magnification, so ask your Extension office for help.[1]

Sources

  1. Penn State Extension, “Small Fruit Mite: Broad Mites on Blackberries.” extension.psu.edu/small-fruit-mite-broad-mites-on-blackberries (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Broad Mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (EENY-183).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN340 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. iNaturalist, “Polyphagotarsonemus latus taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/410134 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.