Flat mite on orchids

The plane tick in orchids is a rather rare, but very dangerous pest that can cause significant damage to your plants. This pest belongs to the arachnid family and is distinguished by a flat, oval body, which allows it to hide in the most inaccessible places of the orchid. Infection of orchids with a plane with a plane can lead to a noticeable deterioration in the health of the plant, its slowed growth and even death, if not take measures in time. In this article, we will examine in detail how to recognize a plane of a planeel in orchids, its signs, causes of appearance, as well as effective methods of combating this pest.

What is a plane tick?

The plane tick (lat. Tetranychidae, the Tenuipalpidae family) is a small, flat tick that prefers to infect orchids at high temperatures and low humidity. This tick can be red, yellowish or brown, which makes it quite noticeable with a thorough examination, especially in the photo. The plane tick is a pest that feeds on the cell juices of the plant, which leads to damage to the cells and weakening of the orchid.

Like other types of ticks, a plane tick on orchids is hidden on the bottom of the leaves, in the stems and even in flower buds, where it can be seen only with a careful examination or with the help of a magnifying glass. These ticks multiply very quickly, which can lead to a rapid infection of the entire orchid and other neighboring plants.

What does the plane tick look like in orchids?

Photos of a plane tick in orchids allow you to clearly consider its features. The tick has small sizes (from 0.2 to 0.5 mm), and it is difficult to notice with the naked eye, but its reddish or yellow tint is easily visible with an increase. The tick has a flat body, which allows it to hide in the smallest cracks and folds on the leaves, between the stems and even in the inflorescences of the orchid. Under a microscope or using a magnifying glass, you can see how it pierces the cells of the plant and sucks juices from them, leaving behind damage.

Life cycle of a plane tick on orchids

Flatter tick (Brevipalpus spp.) - a dangerous pest of orchids, feeding on the cell juice of plants. Its lesion is manifested in the form of yellowish spots, dry areas and general wilting of the plant. Understanding the life cycle helps organize effective struggle measures.

Stages of the life cycle of a plane tick

1. Egg

Females lay eggs on the bottom of the leaves, along the veins and in the sinuses of the leaves of orchids. The eggs are small, rounded, orange or reddish, well protected from the effects of chemicals.

• Duration: 7-10 days (at +25 ... +30 ° C).

2. Larvae

Larvae appear from eggs, have an oval shape, three pairs of legs and a light, almost transparent color. They actively move and immediately begin to eat, piercing the fabrics of the leaves.

• Duration: 5-7 days.

3. Nymph (protonyfrif and deine)

Larvae pass two stages of the nymph: protonyfrifice (primary nymph) and deutnimth (second stage). Nymphs are more in size, acquire a reddish tint and four pairs of legs. They become less mobile, but actively eat, causing yellowing and drying of the affected areas of the leaves.

• Duration of each stage: 4-8 days.

4. Adult tick (Imago)

Adults have a flattened body of oval shape, red or brown. Females are much larger than males and live from 2 to 4 weeks. Throughout life, each female lays up to 100 eggs.

• Life expectancy: 20–40 days (depending on temperature and humidity).

Factors affecting the development of a plane tick

• Temperature: The optimum multiplication temperature is +25 ... +30 ° C.
• Humidity: ticks prefer dry conditions, poorly tolerate humidity above 80%.
• The presence of host plants: orchids with weakened immunity are more vulnerable to defeat.

Signs of infection with a plane with a plane in orchids

Early detection of a plane tick is important for an effective struggle with it. Here are the main signs by which the infection can be suspected:

1. Yellowing and spots on the leaves: the first signs of infection include the appearance of small yellowish spots, which gradually increase and can become brown. These spots are caused by damage to the cells in which the tick sucks juices.
2. Brown or red spots: as the tick continues its power, characteristic brown or red spots appear on the leaves. In some cases, such spots can merge, creating extensive damage.
3. Spider: one of the characteristic signs of strong infection with ticks is the appearance of a thin web on the leaves and stems of the orchid. The web can be barely noticeable, but it often covers the lower side of the sheet or other parts of the plant.
4. Slow growth and wilting: orchids infected with ticks begin to grow slower. The leaves become dull and grow less, and flowering can stop or significantly decrease. This is due to the fact that ticks suck nutrients, weakening the plant.
5. Fall of leaves: in cases of severe infection, the leaves of orchids begin to turn yellow, dry and fall. This can lead to partial or complete loss of foliage, which even weakens the plant.

Why do the plane-tender ticks appear on orchids?

Flates of the planeel prefer dry, warm conditions for propagation. The main reasons for the appearance of plane flowing ticks in orchids are as follows:

• Dry air: ticks prefer dry conditions where air humidity is below 50%. Therefore, if the room is too dry, then the probability of tick infection increases significantly.
• Disadvantage of ventilation: If the plants are too close to each other, and the air is poorly circulating, this creates ideal conditions for the spread of ticks. Ventilation in the room to prevent infection is also important.
• Incorrect care: excessive watering or lack of moisture, the wrong choice of place for orchids (for example, hot, sunny places without access of fresh air) can weaken the plant and make it more susceptible to ticks.
• Pouring or stagnant water: excess watering and the presence of standing water in the pallet also make an orchid more vulnerable to diseases and pest attacks, including ticks.
• Infection with new plants: when introducing new orchids or other plants into the house, there is a risk of ticks. New plants can be infected, even if at first glance they look healthy.

How to deal with a plane plane in orchids?

To combat a plane, a plane on orchids can use several effective methods. It is important to act as quickly as possible to prevent serious damage to the plant.

1. Manual cleaning: if ticks are detected in an orchid, start by removing visible pests. Use a soft cloth or cotton pad moistened with soapy water to gently wipe the affected areas of the leaves, especially their lower side.
2. Insecticidal soap: the use of insecticidal soap is a good solution to combat ticks. It is safe for plants and effectively destroys ticks without harming the plant itself. Spray all parts of the orchids, including leaves, stems and roots.
3. Him: with it, it is a natural remedy that helps not only destroy ticks, but also create a protective shell on the surface of the leaves, preventing re-infection. It is safe for plants and animals.
4. The use of acaricides: if the infection is strong, it is necessary to use special acaricides (miticides) that will help destroy ticks at different stages of their life cycle. It is important to strictly comply with the instructions on the packaging and comply with safety measures when using chemicals.
5. Increase in humidity: the plane ticks prefer dry conditions, therefore, an increase in humidity around the orchid can reduce their activity. Use air humidifier or spray the plant several times a day, but avoid water accumulation in the sinuses to avoid decay.
6. Isolation of infected plants: isolate the affected orchid from other plants to prevent the spread of ticks. It is important not to move the infected plant to other sections of the house, especially if they are located next to other orchids.

Prevention of infection with a plane with a plane in orchids

It is better to prevent the appearance of a plane tick than to fight it after infection. Here are a few simple measures that will help to avoid this pest:

• Inspect the plants regularly: check orchids for the presence of signs of ticks, especially on the lower side of the leaves and in hidden places.
• Provide optimal conditions for growth: create conditions under which orchids will be healthy and less attacked by ticks. This includes proper watering, good ventilation and moderate humidity.
• Idequate new plants: before adding new orchids to your collection, keep them in quarantine for several weeks to make sure that they are not infected with pests.
• Cleanliness and maintenance of order: regularly clean the leaves of orchids from dust and dirt to prevent the accumulation of pests.

Conclusion

The plane tick in orchids is a dangerous pest that can cause significant problems for the health of your plants. However, with timely detection of infection and the use of effective methods of struggle, you can successfully cope with this pest. Regular examinations, proper care and prevention will help keep your orchids healthy and beautiful.