Spider Mites

Common: Twospotted spider mite, Strawberry spider mite, Pacific spider mite, Carmine spider mite

Scientific: Tetranychus urticae, Tetranychus turkestani, Tetranychus pacificus, Tetranychus cinnabarinus

Crop Hosts: Cotton, Ornamental greenhouse plants, Fruits, Vegetables

Identification and Life Cycle: Webspinning spider mites are very small, measuring no more than 1/50 inch. Adults have 8 legs and are oval body, usually with two red eyespots near head. The mite overwinters as adults. Rapid reproduction leads to several generations per year. Spider mites live in colonies, mostly on the undersides of leaves, and produce a webbing that can cover much of the underside of the leaves.

Geographical Distribution: Found throughout the entire United States.

Damage and Treatment: These mites live on the sap of the plant. They are found on the undersurface of the leaves and in severe cases a web can be formed over the entire plant. Leaves can turn yellow or red and drop off, reducing energy available to maturing plants.

Treatment should be made when insect populations and/or damage levels reach economic thresholds. Refer to local University Extension Pest Management Guidelines for specific state thresholds.