Spider mite

Catalogue Type
Plant Pests Catalogue
Scientific Name
Tetranychus spp
Family
Tetranychidae
Distinguishing Characters
Spider mites are less than 1 mm (0.04 in) in size and vary in color. They lay small, spherical, initially transparent eggs and many species spin silk webbing to help protect the colony from predators; they get the "spider" part of their common name from this webbing.
Host Crop
Broad leaf mustard, lettuce
Order
Trombidiformes
Photo of Insect
Photo of Damaged Crop
Description

Spider mites are two-spotted arachnids that change color from pale green to orange or red when
the weather becomes cold. They suck chlorophyll from the leaves, causing white translucent spots
and a silky web that can cover the whole crop.
CONTROL:
The garden pests can be controlled by natural predators such as beneficial mites, ladybugs,
lacewings, parasitic wasps, and spiders. They can also be eradicated by an organic spray which
needs to be applied on a weekly basis.