|
|
|
 |
Photo By: USDA Forecst Service
Spidermite Damage
Spider mites are not insects, but are more closely related to spiders. They are arachnids and have eight legs, no antennae, and an oval shaped body. Most spider mites have the ability to spin fine silk webbing. They are very tiny, being less than 1/50 of an inch in length when they are adults.
|
|
Their are several species of spider mites that feed on plants. The two spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), and the spruce spider mite (Oligonychus ununguis) are two common ones in the landscape. Spider mites have tiny mouthparts that pierce individual plant cells and remove the contents. This results in small, yellow or white specks on the leaf. When these spots occur close together, the foliage may take a yellow or bronze appearance, and the leaves may fall off prematurely. Appalachian Niche offers various controls of spider mite pests in our area.
|
|
