ABSTRACT
Pest mites occur on ornamental plants during their production in greenhouses and nurseries, within homes and atriums in commercial spaces, and in the general landscape in lawns and parks. Ornamental plants include many species and cultivars: bulbs, woody ornamental trees and shrubs, herbaceous annuals, and perennials such as orchids. Growing conditions vary dramatically. Ornamental plants are grown in the ground, in pots and hanging baskets, and in large planters. As a result, managing mites in ornamentals is a complex topic, and integrated mite management (IMM) programs for mites will vary with crop and location. Furthermore, mite management is dependent to a large degree on the other pest problems (insects, diseases) in the system (see Figures S19.1 to S19.3 on the CD). The main acarine pests of ornamental plants are spider mites (Tetranychidae), eriophyoid mites (Eriophyoidea), and broad mites (Tarsonemidae). False spider mites (Tenuipalpidae) are occasional pests, and bulb mites (Acaridae) may be pests in certain crops. The two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is a premier pest of foliage of ornamental plants around the world, except in very humid tropical conditions (Table 19.1).
