Broad mite eggs tend to be laid so they are more exposed on the underside of the leaf or stem surface than cyclamen mite eggs. Feeding Damage Cyclamen mites prefer to feed in buds and young leaves. Leaves curl inward and develop a puckered appearance. Pit-like depressions can also form. Leaves may become brittle or appear streaked.
Flowers can become shriveled and discolored.
Sometimes, flower buds may not open at all. Cyclamen mites have a broad host range and can feed on African violets, cyclamen, dahlia, gloxinia, ivy, snapdragons, vinca, chrysanthemum, geranium, fuchsia, begonia and petunia. Outdoors, the cyclamen mite can attack delphinium, aconite, chrysanthemum, verbena, strawberry and viola. Damage to delphinium is particularly severe, as flower stalks become twisted and buds turn black and do not open. Broad mites inject a toxin from their saliva as they feed.