Eggs are bright red and oval-shaped and are laid on both surfaces of leaves. Initial infestations are indicated by faint brown, scruffy flecks, later becoming bronze or reddish in color. Basal leaf areas are affected, vegetative shoot apexes maybe killed, and severe leaf drop may occur. The best control program is to minimize the possibility of introducing mites into the growing area on infested plant material. They are very small and go unnoticed until plants become severely damaged.
Damaged foliage begins to turn yellow or become speckled due to the feeding of mites.
This discoloration is difficult to see in some varieties of croton because of the yellow appearance of healthy leaves. Often the presence of this pest is overlooked because the cast skins and webbing produced by this mite are confused for dust on undersides of leaves. Control - The critical point in any control program is thorough coverage with the pesticide. The best control program is to minimize the possibility of introducing mites into the growing area on infested plant material. Scales Symptoms - Infested plants become weakened or stunted and begin to die.