Arthropod pests
Two-Spotted Spider Mite
A common mite pest that feeds by piercing plant cells. Early infestations may appear as fine stippling; webbing is usually a later, heavier-infestation sign rather than a requirement for diagnosis.
What to look for
- Fine pale stippling that can merge into bronzing as injury accumulates
- Mites and spherical eggs concentrated on leaf undersides
- Fine webbing when populations become high
- Hot, dry locations may show faster population growth
Important look-alikes
- Thrips feeding scars
- Spray or residue spotting
- Some abiotic leaf-surface injuries
How to confirm
- Inspect leaf undersides with a hand lens or microscope
- Look for moving mites plus eggs rather than relying on webbing alone
- Sample several leaves from symptom edges and apparently healthy areas
Management principles
- Remove or isolate heavily infested material when appropriate
- Use a compatible integrated program rather than repeating one control tactic
- Target leaf undersides and repeat scouting because eggs and hidden individuals can survive incomplete coverage
Prevention
- Quarantine incoming plants
- Inspect clones and nearby ornamentals
- Keep benches and plant debris clean
- Avoid moving from infested areas into clean areas without sanitation
Visual study guide
- Adult and egg microscope plate
- Leaf stippling progression
- Leaf-underside scouting diagram
- Spider mite versus thrips comparison