How is the spider mite transmitted? - briefly
Spider mites disperse mainly as wind‑carried adult females and by attaching to clothing, tools, or infested plant material. They can also be transported through irrigation water or contaminated equipment.
How is the spider mite transmitted? - in detail
Spider mites move between plants through several distinct pathways.
The mobile stage, called the crawler, leaves the mother leaf and walks across surfaces, allowing direct plant‑to‑plant transfer when foliage touches.
Air currents transport adults and crawlers over short distances; the tiny size (less than 1 mm) enables wind to carry them into neighboring crops, especially in greenhouse ventilation systems.
Human activity spreads infestations when growers handle infested foliage, tools, or containers. Pruning shears, bags, and hands can carry mites to uninfected hosts if not disinfected.
Commercial propagation of seedlings, cuttings, and ornamental plants frequently introduces mites to new regions. Transport of infected stock, soil, or growing media provides a vector for long‑distance dissemination.
Animals such as aphids, thrips, and even small insects may inadvertently carry mites on their bodies, facilitating movement across crops.
In summary, spider mite dissemination occurs via:
- Crawling across touching plant parts
- Wind‑driven dispersal of mobile stages
- Transfer on equipment, clothing, and hands
- Movement of infested plant material in trade
- Accidental carriage by other arthropods
Effective management requires interruption of each pathway through sanitation, isolation of new stock, and control of airflow in protected environments.