Brugmansia and Spider Mites
Brugmansia is a genus of flowering plant with species such as angel's trumpet and tree datura, which feature trumpet-shaped flowers that hang upside down and emit a strong smell. Brugmansia is susceptible to many pests, including spider mites. Does this Spark an idea?
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Description
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Spider mites appear on leaves as tiny specks that have eight legs, an oval body and two red eye spots. They live in colonies, usually on the bottom surface of leaves.
Signs of Infestation
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Spider mites lay eggs and deposit waste on the leaf surface. They also produce webbing that is visible on the leaves, twigs and fruit of the plant.
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Damage
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Spider mites feed on the leaves, causing them to yellow and eventually fall off. Young brugmansia plants can die from spider mite infestation. Mature plants can survive an infestation with proper treatment.
Treatment
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Spraying water on the plant will wash away the spider mites. Insecticidal oils and soap can also reduce spider mite populations.
Monitoring
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Use a magnifying lens to examine the brugmansia for spider mites. To improve visibility, shake a few leaves over a white sheet of paper and examine the contents that have fallen.
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