How does a spider mite lay eggs? - briefly
Female spider mites embed their eggs in the lower surface of leaves, creating a concealed cell for each egg. A single adult can produce up to 100 eggs over a few days, with incubation lasting roughly three days.
How does a spider mite lay eggs? - in detail
Spider mites reproduce through a rapid oviposition cycle. Adult females possess a pair of tubular ovaries that mature eggs continuously after mating. Each mature egg moves through the oviduct and is expelled through the genital opening called the ovipositor.
A single female can lay between 30 and 100 eggs over her lifespan, with daily rates ranging from 2 to 10 eggs depending on temperature and food quality. Eggs are deposited singly or in small clusters, often within the silken web that the mite spins on the leaf surface.
Preferred deposition sites include the undersides of leaves, leaf veins, and any sheltered area within the web. The web protects the eggs from desiccation, predators, and ultraviolet radiation. Eggs are oval, translucent to pale yellow, and measure roughly 0.2 mm in length.
Incubation lasts 2–5 days, shortening as ambient temperature rises. At 25 °C, development typically completes in about 2.5 days; at 15 °C, it extends to 5 days. Humidity influences hatch success, with optimal rates observed at relative humidity of 60–80 %.
Factors that modify egg‑laying activity:
- Temperature: higher values accelerate metabolism and increase daily egg output.
- Relative humidity: moderate levels prevent egg collapse and improve viability.
- Host‑plant quality: nutrient‑rich foliage supports greater fecundity.
- Photoperiod: longer daylight periods stimulate more frequent oviposition.
After hatching, the first larval stage emerges, begins feeding, and the cycle repeats within a week under favorable conditions, allowing spider mite populations to expand explosively when environmental parameters remain optimal.