How to find a spider mite? - briefly
«Inspect the undersides of foliage for minute moving specks and fine webbing, then confirm with a magnifying lens that the organisms are oval, reddish‑brown mites.» «Sticky traps or leaf‑tap samples placed in water provide additional verification of infestation levels.»
How to find a spider mite? - in detail
Spider mites are tiny arachnids that hide on the undersides of foliage, often unnoticed until damage appears. Detection requires systematic visual inspection, sampling, and environmental assessment.
Visual inspection should focus on the lower leaf surface, where mites construct silvery webs and feed. Look for stippling, yellowing, or a fine webbing that indicates activity. Use a magnifying lens or hand lens with at least 10× magnification to observe the minute bodies, which measure 0.2–0.5 mm.
Sampling techniques improve accuracy in large plantings. Select a representative set of leaves from different canopy levels, detach them, and place each leaf on a white paper background. Gently tap the leaf to dislodge mites; count the specimens under the lens. Record the number of mites per leaf to assess infestation density.
Environmental cues help predict mite presence. High temperatures (above 25 °C) and low humidity create favorable conditions. Monitor ambient temperature and relative humidity; spikes correlate with increased mite activity. Inspect plants after periods of intense sunlight or heat stress, as these conditions accelerate reproduction.
Integrated detection protocol:
- Examine the underside of at least five leaves per plant, using a 10× lens.
- Note any webbing, discoloration, or stippling.
- Collect leaf samples for laboratory counting if visual signs are ambiguous.
- Record temperature and humidity data for the inspection period.
- Compare mite counts against threshold levels (e.g., > 5 mites per leaf) to decide on control measures.
Regular scouting, combined with environmental monitoring, ensures early identification of spider mite infestations and enables timely intervention.