The soft-skinned mite Rhizoglyphus destroys root tissue. Tunnels made by the mites are visible in the damaged parts of the plant. Leaves that come into contact with them can turn brown and die.
Leaves lying on the ground may turn brown and be destroyed. Tyrophagus can occasionally become harmful when they occur in large numbers, causing damage to healthy plant tissue. Paphiopedilum in particular repeatedly suffers damage to its flower stems, which develop necrotic stripes. Infested leaves become soft and rot.

Root mites (such as Rhizoglyphus) are tiny arachnids, of which there are over 50,000 species worldwide. They live in moist soil and feed on underground plant parts (roots, tubers, bulbs) by eating tunnels, which weakens the plants and allows secondary infections to occur. They reproduce extremely quickly, mating often and laying many eggs, with their larvae eating fine root hairs and the adult mites damaging the tissue. Their reproduction is favoured by high humidity, and they sometimes spread through other beetles.

Root mites reproduce rapidly in warm, humid conditions, with females laying eggs near the soil surface from which larvae develop, feeding on root hairs and thus driving the life cycle, with rapid generation succession leading to mass infestation under optimal conditions. Reproduction is promoted by high temperatures, humidity and poor ventilation, which is why cleanliness and avoiding waterlogging are important for prevention.

It is very difficult to combat root mites directly. In fact, all plants must be dipped in an acaricide. As a preventive measure, the root system must be strengthened through optimal cultivation. Normal acaricides fulfil their purpose, but reaching the infested areas is a problem.

As natural enemies of root and mould mites, predatory mites and gall midge larvae often colonise orchid cultures.

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