Identification

• Fuchsia gall mites are arthropods, closely related to spiders and ticks. These pests are almost maggot-like in appearance, but are too tiny to see without magnification. The adults are only 0.009 inches long and around 0.002 inches wide, and are usually whitish- or pale-yellow in color. Unlike other eight-legged arthropods, fuchsia gall mites have two pairs of legs near the front ends of their bodies. Since fuchsia growers cannot see these mites, they depend on plant symptoms to identify infestations.
  
  

Life Cycle

• Adult female fuchsia gall mites lay around 50 eggs at once. The eggs hatch into larvae four to seven days later, and develop from larvae into nymphs and finally into adults inside fuchsia shoots and blossoms. They complete their life cycles in approximately 21 days, and can overwinter at any developmental stage. These pests move from one plant to another through wind currents, birds, insects and infested transplants. They also attach themselves to hair and clothing.
  
  

Fuchsia Damage

• Fuchsia gall mites suck juices from fuchsia foliage. Infestations are initially characterized by reddened shoots and leaves. Later, the foliage thickens and the leaves and blossoms become deformed. The mites release chemicals into the plant tissues that cause the formation of abnormal, pale-green growths called galls. These leaf galls turn red as they age. As the season progresses, the mites leave the galls to feed on other areas of the plant. Infested fuchsias may eventually stop growing.
  
  

Control Methods

• The Food and Environment Research Agency notes that fuchsia mites can be difficult to control once established because they hide inside galls and other plant structures, and it is often too late to control these pests with chemicals by the time the symptoms appear. You can minimize infestations by planting resistant varieties such as Brazilian fuchsias. Prune out infested leaves or remove and destroy seriously infested fuchsias. Spray infested plants with endosulfan, carbaryl or diazinon to kill emerging larvae. You can also use horticultural soaps and oils to control light infestations.