# Phoresy

> One animal riding on another to disperse without feeding on it, as broad mites do on whiteflies and aphids.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/phoresy.html
- Also written: phoretic, phoretic dispersal, hitchhiking mites
- Glossary category: Pests and diseases · Evidence: Established
- Status: Draft: awaiting expert review · Updated: 2026-10-31
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), attribute "GenetixBay cannabis glossary"

Phoresy is dispersal by hitching a ride on another animal. The [broad mite](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/broad-mite.md) is the classic cannabis-relevant example: UF/IFAS describes it clinging to the legs of [whiteflies](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/whitefly.md) and some [aphids](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/aphid.md), which carry it to new plants.

## In practice

Phoresy explains broad mite outbreaks on plants nobody touched, and is one reason whitefly and aphid control matters in rooms with a broad mite history. [Sticky cards](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/sticky-trap.md) can carry hitchhikers too, so dispose of old cards outside the room.

## Don't confuse with

- **Aerial dispersal**: riding air currents, not animals.
- **Parasitism**: feeding on the host, which phoresy does not.

## Related terms

[Broad mite](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/broad-mite.md), [Aerial dispersal](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/aerial-dispersal.md), [Whitefly](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/whitefly.md)

## Read more

- [Broad mites on cannabis: life table, spread and control (plus russet mite summary)](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/pests/broad-russet-mites.md)

## Sources

1. Fasulo, T.R. Broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus. UF/IFAS EENY-183. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-in340-2005