Insect
and Disease Fact Sheet Compliments of New Century
1-877-79TREES
Spider Mites & Their Control
Spider
mites are not insects but are more closely related to spiders. These arachnids
have four pairs of legs,
no antennae and a single, oval body region. Most spider mites have the ability
to produce fine silk webbing. Spider mites are very tiny, being less than 1/50
inch (O.4mm) long when adults.
Southern Red
Mite
Female, Male
& Larva
Many
species of spider mites can be found in Ohio landscapes. The two-spotted spider
mite and spruce spider mite are the most common pests. Other species with fewer
host plants include: European red mite, found on apple trees; honeylocust spider mite; southern red mite, on a variety of
plants; boxwood spider mite; and the oak mite.
Types of Damage
Spider
mites have tiny mouth parts modified for
piercing individual plant cells and removing the contents. This results
in tiny yellow or white speckles. When many of these feeding spots occur near
each other, the foliage takes on a yellow or bronzed cast. Once the foliage of
a plant becomes bronzed, it often drops prematurely.
Heavily
infested plants may be discolored, stunted or even killed. Web producing spider
mites may coat the foliage with the fine silk which collects dust and looks
dirty.
Life Cycles and Habits
Spider
mite species seem to be warm weather or cool weather active pests. The two-spotted, European red, honeylocust, and oak spider mites do best in dry, hot
summer weather. The spruce and southern red spider mites do best in cool spring
and fall weather.
All
spider mites go through the same stages of development. Adult females usually
lay eggs on their host plants. The eggs hatch in days to weeks into the first
stage, called a larva. Larvae are round bodied and have only three pairs of
legs. The larvae feed for a few days, seek a sheltered spot to
rest and then molt into the first nymphal stage. The
first nymph now has four pairs of legs. The first nymphs feed a few days,
rest and molt into the second nymph. The second nymphs feed, rest and
molt into the adult stage. The males are usually the size of the second nymph
and have pointed abdomens. The females have rounded abdomens and are the
largest mites present.
Most
spider mites spend the winter in the egg stage but the two-spotted spider mite over
winters as adult females resting in protected places.
Two-spotted Spider Mite
The
two-spotted spider mite is an example of a 'warm season' mite. This pest has
been reported from over 180 host plants including field crops, ornamental
plants, house plants and weeds.
|
The females over winter in the soil or on host
plants. The females become active in April and May when they seek out the
undersides of leaves on suitable hosts. Each female may layover 100 eggs. A
single generation may require as much as 20 to as few as five days, depending
on the temperature. These mites prefer hot, dry weather and often do not
reach damaging populations in cool, rainy periods. |
Two-spotted Spider Mite Stages |
Spruce- Spider Mite
The spruce
spider mite is a common 'cool season' mite. This pest can be found on all types
of conifers and pines to junipers and arborvitae.
This
mite spends the winter in the egg stage attached to host plants. The eggs hatch
in March to April and the mites can complete development in 3 to 4 weeks. If
summer temperatures are constantly over 90 F, this mite becomes dormant and
lays resting eggs. These eggs and adults resume activity in the fall when
cooler temperatures return.
Conifers
often react slowly to the feeding of this mite. Yellowing and bronzing of the
needles may not become apparent until the heat of the summer, even though the
damage may have occurred the previous fall and spring.
Control Strategies
Early
detection of spider mites, before damage is noticed, is important. The tiny
spider mites can be detected by taking a piece of white paper or cardboard and
striking some plant foliage on it. The mites can be seen walking slowly on the
paper. If 10 or more mites per sample are common, controls may be needed.
Option 1: Cultural Control –
Syringing-Since
rainy weather seems to knock off spider mites, using a forceful jet of water
from a hose (syringing).can perform the same task.
Option 2: Cultural Control -
Quarantine and Inspection-The two-spotted spider mite is often introduced on infested bedding
and house plants. When purchasing new plants, carefully
inspect the lower leaf surface for any signs of mite activity.
Option 3: Biological Control-
Predators There are
numerous insects (lacewings and lady beetles) that prey on spider mites.
However, the most commonly sold predators are other types of mites. Predatory
mites can be purchased and released onto infested plants.
Option 4: Chemical Control -
"Soft Pesticides"- Most spider mites can be controlled with insecticidal
oils and soaps.
Horticultural oils can be used on perennial and woody ornamentals during the
summer. Higher rates of horticultural oil or dormant oil are useful for killing
mite eggs and dormant adults in the fall and spring. The insecticidal soaps are
useful in the warm season. Remember that mites are very tiny and soaps and oils
work by contact only. Therefore, thorough coverage of the plant is necessary
for good control.
Option 5: Chemical Control – Miticides-Spider mites are usually not killed by regular
insecticides so be sure to check the pesticide label to see if "miticide" is present. Pesticides claiming "for
mite suppression" are usually weak miticides and
will not perform well. There are few products available to the homeowner.
Information obtained through the Ohio state University
Extension Factsheet HYG-2012-92
Insect
and Disease Fact Sheet Compliments of New Century
1-877-79TREES