How does spider mite damage on cucumbers look? - briefly
Spider mite feeding creates a fine stippling of pale or yellow spots on cucumber leaves, frequently covered with a delicate web and a bronze‑tinged, mottled appearance on older foliage. Severe infestations lead to leaf curling, premature defoliation, and diminished fruit quality.
How does spider mite damage on cucumbers look? - in detail
Spider mite injury on cucumber vines manifests primarily on the leaves. The first sign is a stippled, pale‑yellow discoloration that resembles tiny, irregular spots. As the population expands, the chlorotic areas coalesce, producing larger brownish patches that may turn necrotic.
Key visual indicators include:
- Fine, web‑like threads on the undersides of leaves, especially near leaf veins.
- Tiny, moving specks that appear as tiny black or brown dots; these are the mites themselves.
- A “bronzed” or silvery sheen on the leaf surface caused by the loss of chlorophyll.
- Distorted leaf edges that become curled, rolled, or cupped upward.
- Stunted growth of new shoots and reduced fruit set due to impaired photosynthesis.
On the fruit, damage is less common but can occur when severe infestations stress the plant. Affected cucumbers may exhibit uneven skin coloration, with mottled patches that are lighter than the surrounding tissue. In extreme cases, the fruit surface may become rough or develop small, sunken lesions.
The combination of stippling, webbing, and leaf deformation provides a reliable diagnostic profile for spider mite presence on cucumber crops. Early detection allows timely intervention before the infestation spreads to the fruiting stage.