Identification
Spidermite larvae are transparent and have 6 legs. Two-spotted spider mite are the most common. The adults are yellow-green to dark red with two dark spots on back. With eight legs (arachnid, not insect), they are 0.75 mm long and show bright orange-red colour when entering diapause. Fine webbing on leaves is evident in large infestations.
Damage They Cause:
-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 mites
Beneficial Insects for Control:
Phytoseiulus persimilis (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) -predator mite for (Tetranychus urticae) Two-spotted Spidermite
Neoseiulus (Amblyseius) fallacis (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) -predatory mite for all types of spider mite Neoseiulus (Amblyseius) californicus (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) -predatory mite for all types of spider mite Stethorus punctillum (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) -predatory beetle for all types of spider mite Micromus variegatus (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) -generalist predatory adults & larvae
