Red Spider Mite
Tetranychus urticae
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Identification
The mites suck sap from cells , in the early stages characteristic white speckles can be seen on the upper plant surface.As the population builds,webs and aggregations of mites will be seen, usually at the growing points of the plant.
Prevention
High humidities can reduce the egg laying rate of the mites. Overhead watering will discourage them.
If you feed your plants with Maxicrop liquid tomato fertiliser, (Made from seaweed) this will prevent red spider attack.
Plants can be sprayed three times a year with a systemic insecticide containing malathion or pyrimiphos-methyl.
Cure
Spray with a contact insecticide such as rotenone. Several sprays should be made at 2 week intervals.
A green method is to use Neem Oil with Pyrethrin, which is made from chrysanthemums, can be safely used in vegetable gardens, fruit & nut trees & ornamentals. It provides immediate control of ants, aphids, mealy bugs and spider mites
Red spider mite can be controlled biologically in greenhouses by using their natural enemy, the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis. See our suppliers list.
Mite damage on X Chamaelobivia and Cereus