Pest profile

Cyclamen Mite

Phytonemus pallidus · Trombidiformes: Tarsonemidae[3]

Cyclamen mites usually go unnoticed until their damage, curled and distorted leaves, becomes severe.[1]

No licensed photo of this species is available yet; the identification notes below describe what to look for.

How to identify it

  • Adults are about 1/100 inch, elliptical, shiny and orange-pink, and can't be seen without magnification.[1]
  • Infested leaves curl inward and may look darker, streaked, blotchy or purplish.[1]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Twospotted spider miteUK Extension says growers recognize spider mites, while cyclamen mites are usually found only by the leaf distortion they cause.[1]

Where it lives

It was first recorded in New York in 1898 and now occurs in greenhouses throughout the country; outdoors it attacks strawberry.[1]

Biology and life cycle

The life cycle can finish in about two weeks, and the mites thrive around 60 degrees F.[1]

Each female lays about 90 eggs, and up to 80 percent may become females.[1]

Damage and signs

  • African violet, cyclamen, gloxinia, begonia, fuchsia, geranium, snapdragon and New Guinea impatiens are highly susceptible; cyclamen suffers most.[1]

Health risk

It feeds on plants; UK Extension mentions no risk to people.[1]

Control

Sanitation

Often it's better to discard infested plants, and check infested plants last so hands and clothing don't spread mites.[1]

Traps and physical control

Infested potted plants can be immersed in 110 degree F water for 15 to 30 minutes; success depends on holding that temperature.[1]

Biological control

Commercially available predatory mites work best when released at the first sign of infestation.[1]

Pesticides

Insecticidal soap, applied three to four times at 3 to 5 day intervals after pruning, can give effective control.[1]

More from UF/IFAS

It was described in 1901 from leaves of greenhouse chrysanthemums in Jamaica, New York, and had reached Canada by 1908.[2]

Common questions

Why are the new leaves on my African violet tight and curled?
Cyclamen mites feeding in the buds and young leaves are a likely cause.[1]
Can I see cyclamen mites?
Not without magnification; they're about 1/100 inch long.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Kentucky Entomology (ENTFACT), “Cyclamen Mite in the Greenhouse (ENTFACT-422).” entomology.mgcafe.uky.edu/ef422 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Cyclamen Mite, Phytonemus pallidus (Banks).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN335 (accessed 2026-10-14)
  3. iNaturalist, “Phytonemus pallidus taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/395197 (accessed 2026-10-06)

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