Spider Mites
by W.S. Cranshaw and D.C. Sclar 1 (11/06)
Quick Facts...
Spider mites are common plant pests. Symptoms of injury include flecking, discoloration (bronzing) and scorching of leaves. Injury can lead to leaf loss and even plant death.
Natural enemies include small lady beetles, predatory mites, minute pirate bugs, big-eyed bugs and predatory thrips.
One reason that spider mites become a problem is insecticides that kill their natural predators.
Irrigation and moisture management can be important cultural controls for spider mites.
Figure 1: Honeylocust spider mites, with eggs.
Spider mites are common pest problems on many plants around yards and gardens in Colorado. Injury is caused as they feed, bruising the cells with their small, whiplike mouthparts and ingesting the sap. Damaged areas typically appear marked with many small, light flecks, giving the plant a somewhat speckled appearance.
©2012 Colorado State University Extension
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