Capsicum mites, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, are a significant pest affecting capsicum and other crops worldwide. Known by various names such as yellow tea mite, tropical mite, and broad spider mite, these pests cause severe economic damage by feeding on leaves, buds, and fruits. Below is a detailed overview of capsicum mites, their life cycle, and management strategies.

Symptoms of Infestation

1. Feeding Damage:

   • Young larvae and adults suck sap from leaves, buds, and fruits.

   • Results in downward curling of leaves, reduced size of leaves, fruits, and plants.

   • Significantly impacts the market value of the produce.

2. Environmental Influence:

   • Infestation levels increase with high temperatures and humidity.

Life Cycle of Capsicum Mites

1. Stages of Development:

   • Eggs:

     • Colorless, translucent, and elliptical (~0.08 mm long).

     • Covered with 29-37 scattered white tufts.

     • Hatch in 2-3 days.

   • Larvae:

     • Young mites have three pairs of legs and appear whitish due to body ridges.

     • Slow-moving and feed for 2-3 days before entering the quiescent stage.

   • Nymphs:

     • Clear, pointed at both ends, and last about one day.

     • Female nymphs are often carried by males to new foliage.

   • Adults:

     • Females (~0.2 mm long) are light yellow to amber or green with a median stripe.

     • Males (~0.11 mm long) are smaller, faster, and lack the stripe.

     • Females lay 30-76 eggs over 8-13 days before dying.

     • Males live 5-9 days and assist in dispersing female nymphs.

2. Temperature and Development:

   • Development time decreases with increasing temperature:

     • At 15°C: 13.3 days.

     • At 25°C: 4.2 days.

     • At 30°C: 3.5 days.

   • Optimal temperature for development: 30.1°C.

   • Lower and upper developmental thresholds: 10.0°C and 36.0°C, respectively.

3. Survival Rates:

   • Highest survival rates (43.5% to 96.9%) observed between 17°C and 30°C.

   • Lower survival rates at extreme temperatures (15°C and 33°C).

4. Behavior:

   • Males carry quiescent female larvae to new foliage for mating upon emergence.

   • Some reports suggest broad mites may use whiteflies as hosts for dispersal.

Impact on Capsicum Production

• Severe infestations lead to stunted plant growth and reduced yield.

• Infested fruits and leaves lose market value due to their smaller size and poor appearance.

Management Strategies

1. Cultural Practices:

   • Maintain field hygiene by removing infested plant parts.

   • Ensure optimal temperature and humidity levels to reduce mite activity.

2. Biological Controls:

   • Use predatory mites and natural enemies to control mite populations.

3. Chemical Controls:

   • Apply miticides judiciously, targeting specific life stages for maximum efficacy.

Understanding the biology and behavior of capsicum mites is crucial for implementing effective pest management practices, minimizing crop losses, and maintaining produce quality.