How does blackcurrant affected by spider mite look? - briefly
Infested blackcurrant vines show tiny yellow or bronze stipples on leaf surfaces, often accompanied by fine silken webs and curled, distorted foliage. Fruit may develop uneven coloration and reduced size.
How does blackcurrant affected by spider mite look? - in detail
Spider mite infestation gives blackcurrant vines a distinctive visual pattern. Leaves develop fine, pale‑green to yellow speckles where mites have pierced the tissue. As feeding continues, the speckling expands into a mottled bronzed or bronze‑gray discoloration, often beginning at leaf margins and moving inward. The affected area may turn necrotic, leaving brown dead patches that can coalesce into larger lesions.
A secondary symptom is the presence of fine, silken webbing on the undersides of leaves and along stems. Webbing is most noticeable when the plant is disturbed, revealing a delicate network that can trap dust and spores. The web may also be visible on the fruit surface, where it appears as a faint, hazy coating.
Fruit that has been fed upon shows irregular shape and uneven ripening. Infected berries may exhibit a dull, matte finish instead of the usual glossy skin, with occasional small, pale spots where tissue has been damaged. The skin can become thin and prone to cracking, especially near the stem attachment.
Stems and petioles may display a subtle, longitudinal bronzing, often accompanied by a slight swelling where mite colonies congregate. Young shoots are particularly vulnerable; they can become stunted, with reduced internode length and a general loss of vigor.
The progression of damage follows a predictable sequence:
- Initial stippling on leaf undersides.
- Expansion to bronzed discoloration and necrotic patches.
- Development of silken webs.
- Decline in leaf chlorophyll, leading to premature leaf drop.
- Fruit deformation and surface dullness.
- Overall reduction in plant growth and yield.
Differentiation from other pests is possible by noting the combination of bronzed leaf tissue, fine webbing, and the characteristic pattern of stippling. Aphids, for example, cause honeydew and sooty mold but lack the bronzing and web. Scale insects produce raised, waxy coverings rather than the delicate silk of spider mites.
Effective identification relies on close inspection of leaf undersides, stem bases, and fruit surfaces for the described visual cues.