Tiny Black Powdery Dots On Peace Lily Leaves – Pest Or Fungus?

Question

My 6 year old Peace Lily is being affected by something causing tiny black powdery dots on the top side of the leaves. The same thing affected a potted Himalayan Ivy about 2 months ago and from time to time I still have to check the Ivy. The Ivy is about 5 feet away from the Peace Lily. In both cases I either removed the infected leaves or wiped them down with rubbing alcohol and wiped clean with a damp towel. The powdery black dots do come off on the rubbing alcohol q-tip as a greenish-brown color (picture below). This leaves the leaves silvery and colorless underneath where the dots were. On the underside of many infected leaves, I found small white dots (I do not know if they are insects), and a few tiny black insects (pictures below). I thought I had the Ivy under control with the rubbing alcohol spot checks but clearly this has spread to the Peace Lily now. I have many other plants in this room and I’m desperate to keep it from spreading to more. Are the dots and the insects related? Am I’m dealing with an insect that is spreading an infection? Mold? I have no idea how to treat it/prevent it so if you know what this is, any help will be appreciated! Light is bright West facing, plants are watered to run-off when drooping but water is not gotten on the leaves, neither have been repotted recently, air flow in the room is good, temp has been between ~68 – ~84 degrees inside, hardiness zone 10a in Southern California. Thank you! -L

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Answer 1

This is multiple insect infestations. It looks like, both, spider mites and thrips! Both are very difficult to control, requiring some heavy pesticides.

These articles will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/controlling-thrips.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/spider-mite-treatment.htm