Spinach crown mites live in the topsoil and thrive in a cool, moist environment.

They feed mainly on partly decomposed organic material and on fungi living off decomposing material.

They also feed on young spinach leaves that are close to the soil’s surface.

Leaves become distorted, which reduces the marketability of the crop.

Read this Soil Wealth ICP fact sheet to find out more about identification, life cycle and available control measures if you suspect you have the pest in your crop.

Click the image to access the fact sheet: