Watch your indoor cyclamen, African violets, begonias, and ivy for deformed, curled growth on newly expanded leaves. The cyclamen mite could be causing the damage. Young flowers become distorted and fall early. Leaves also become wrinkled. Adults are translucent with a pale yellowish brown color.
Females can reproduce without males so populations increase very quickly.
They seek shelter in the protected crevices of young leaves. Cyclamen mites are killed by exposure to full sunlight. Control can be achieved by washing plants thoroughly and putting them under direct light for at least two hours. You can also dip plants in a half strength solution of insecticidal soap or horticultural oil to kill the mites. Other agents cause similar growth patterns so you'll need to identify the presence of the mite before you treat your plants.