How to differentate FMV from an active fig bud mite infestation

The right way to tell is to inspect for the fig bud mite. They can be seen with a 60x hand lens like this one for $10 from Amazon:

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There are visual symptoms that I associate with a FMV infection vs an active fig bud mite infestation. I don’t have good pictures of the symptoms on the smallest new leaves because I just knocked down an infestation and those leaves have fallen off or grown up. When fig bud mites are really bad the new leaves are stunted and discolored a reddish brown. In the pics that follow there are a few of those affected leaves that have expanded to small stunted status.

First symptoms I associate with recent fig bud mite activity. It shows as speckling or circular dots;

Now leaves with FMV symptoms:


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This is very good, although I believe the mite damage you observe could be from fig leaf mite, esp. if it is followed by rust infection.

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I never even heard of fig leaf mites. Do you have a reference? Do they spread FMV?

No, they are symbiotic with fig leaf rust.