How do cucumber leaves affected by spider mite look? - briefly
Infested cucumber foliage displays a speckled, yellow‑green discoloration from minute feeding punctures, frequently accompanied by a fine silvery web on the leaf undersides.
How do cucumber leaves affected by spider mite look? - in detail
Cucumber foliage infested with spider mites displays a distinct set of symptoms. The upper leaf surface often shows a fine, stippled pattern of pale or yellow spots where the mites have withdrawn plant sap. These chlorotic patches may coalesce, creating larger bronzed or gray‑green areas. As the infestation progresses, the affected tissue becomes increasingly thin, leading to a translucent appearance.
The lower leaf surface typically reveals a dense network of fine, silken webs. Webbing is most noticeable along leaf veins and at the leaf margins, where it may appear as a faint, cobweb‑like film. In severe cases, the webs can be thick enough to be seen with the naked eye.
Leaf edges frequently curl upward or downward, giving the leaf a distorted, wavy silhouette. Curling is often accompanied by a crinkling texture, especially along the margins. The overall leaf shape may become irregular, and the plant may produce smaller, misshapen leaves as new growth is affected.
Additional visual cues include:
- Stunted new shoots and reduced leaf size
- Yellowing that spreads from the leaf tip toward the base
- A dusty or powdery residue on the leaf surface, caused by large mite populations
- Early leaf drop in heavily infested plants
These signs together provide a reliable visual diagnosis of spider mite damage on cucumber leaves.