Identification
larvae are transparent and have 6 legs
adults; yellow-green to dark red, two dark spots on back
8 legs (arachnid, not insect), 0.75 mm long
bright orange-red colour when entering diapause
fine webbing on leaves in large infestations
Damage
feeding on plant tissue and sap causing yellow speckling of the leaves
distortion of young leaves and loss of chlorophyll
leaf drop and shriveling of leaves
much damage can be caused by small populations of spider mite
Beneficial Insects for control
Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
-predatory mite
Neoseiulus (=Amblyseius) fallacis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
-predatory mite
Stethorus punctillum (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
-predatory beetle & larvae
