How does a spider mite manifest? - briefly
Spider mites are visible as minute, moving dots on the undersides of leaves, frequently surrounded by fine silk webbing and causing stippled, yellow‑white discoloration. Infested foliage exhibits irregular chlorotic spots, leaf drop, and stunted growth.
How does a spider mite manifest? - in detail
Spider mites reveal their presence through a combination of visual cues and physiological changes in the host plant. The most immediate indicator is the appearance of tiny, moving specks on the undersides of leaves; individuals range from 0.2 to 0.5 mm in length and are often mistaken for dust. Their movement creates a web-like coating that may be faint at first and become denser as the population expands.
Damage to foliage manifests as a stippled or mottled pattern of chlorotic spots. These lesions start as tiny yellow or white spots where the mite has pierced the epidermis to extract cell sap. Over time, the affected tissue collapses, forming a bronze‑colored or necrotic patch. In severe infestations, leaves may curl, dry, or drop prematurely, reducing photosynthetic capacity and overall plant vigor.
A secondary sign is the presence of fine silk threads. Adult females and nymphs spin protective webs along leaf veins, branch tips, and between overlapping leaves. The webs are most noticeable when the plant is examined from an angle that catches reflected light.
Detection can be enhanced by the following steps:
- Inspect leaf undersides with a magnifying lens or handheld microscope.
- Look for webbing, especially in sheltered leaf axils.
- Observe leaf discoloration patterns that differ from typical nutrient deficiencies.
- Monitor plant growth rates; a sudden slowdown may accompany hidden mite activity.
Reproduction cycles accelerate the visibility of symptoms. Under warm, dry conditions (above 25 °C and low humidity), a female can lay 30–50 eggs within three days. Eggs hatch into mobile larvae within 2–3 days, and the entire development from egg to adult may complete in less than a week, allowing rapid population buildup and swift escalation of the described symptoms.