The Broad Mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, has been previously recorded on 45 host plants in the Philippines. Recently, P. latus was recollected from these host plants and 16 more were added to the list as new host records. Reported host plants of P. latus are dominated by the plant family Leguminosae with 13 species, but also include eight species of the family Solanaceae, five Cucurbitacea, four each of the families Asteraceae and Brassicaceae, three Malvaceae, two species each of the families Anacardicea, Euphorbiacea, Moraceae and two species each of Amaranthaceae, Basellaceae, Caricaceae, Convolvulacea, Dioscoreacea, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, Portulacaceae, Tiliaceae, and Virtaceae. Weed hosts include two species of Convolvulaceae and one species of each of the families Asteraceae, Portulacaceae, Solanaceae, and Verbenaceae.

P. latus suck plant sap when feeding and injury is characterization by reduced size and deformed leaves, flowers and fruit, stunting and premature death of the infested plants. Growth inhibition and a decrease in leaf number and area, and aberrations in the whole leaf tissue, such as complete loss of epidermis and thickening and distortion of mesophyll cell walls are also manifested in some infested plants. Symptoms similar to those caused by virus diseases, herbicide toxicity and micronutrient can be attributed to the Broad Mite.

From the previous 10 predatory mite species reported associated with P. latus there are now 12 species, 10 of which belong to the family Phytoseiidae and one each to the Blattisoscidae (=Ascidae) and Cunaxidas. The most frequently found with the pest was Paraphytoseius orientalis, one of the 108 species of the family Phytoseiidae that have been reported from the country.

This taxonomic survey focused mostly on weed hosts to be able to know where P. latus is hen its crop hosts are not around; for instance, during harvest time, or before planting these crops. The study would like also to further the information on the diversity of predatory mites associated with P. latus, as well as other mites inhabiting weeds hosts of the latter and the litter underneath where predators may find alternate prey or refuge. The role of weeds on colonization and establishment of these predatory and other species for P. latus management focusing on biological and cultural methods would be better understood.