PEST PROFILES: NON-INSECT ARTHROPOD PESTS

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Spider Mite Mite Web Spider Mite Mite Eggs Crawler Click on image to view larger.

Spider mites Description: Twospotted spider mites adults are small, 1/32 inch or less. The body is globular, yellowish to greenish and is often marked with 2 dark spots on the back. Mites have 8 legs. Mites spin protective webs of silk over infested plant surfaces. Another important plant feeding mite group is the false spider mites. Damage: Plant feeder, causing stippling or bronzing of leaves. Life cycle: Outdoors, twospotted spider mites may overwinter as adults or continue to breed on host plants in mild winters or indoors. Adults oviposit clear to yellowish spherical eggs, often suspended in a fine web of silk on the undersides of plant leaves. First instar nymphs are spotless, clear greenish brown and 6 legged then develop into 8 legged nymphs as they molt 2 more times. Adult mites mate soon after emerging from the last nymphal stage. Egg to adult occurs in 5 to 20 days, depending upon temperature. Many generations can occur per year. Mites spin silk threads to passively "fly" or "balloon" in wind to disperse.