What do peppers infested with spider mites look like? - briefly
Leaves appear stippled with pale yellow or bronze spots, often covered in fine webbing on the underside, while the peppers themselves may show discoloration, tiny spots, and reduced size. These symptoms indicate a spider‑mite infestation.
What do peppers infested with spider mites look like? - in detail
Pepper plants attacked by spider mites show a distinct set of visual symptoms that progress as the infestation worsens.
Leaves develop a fine, yellow‑to‑silver stippling caused by the mites feeding on cell contents. The pattern appears as tiny, pale spots that coalesce into larger, mottled areas, often beginning on the undersides of the foliage. As damage accumulates, the affected tissue turns bronzed or bronzy‑green, and the leaf surface may become dull and matte.
A second hallmark is the presence of fine webbing. Early infestations produce barely visible silk strands along leaf veins and between leaf edges; heavy populations create a noticeable cobweb that can be brushed away with a fingertip.
Stunted growth and leaf drop accompany the discoloration. New shoots emerge smaller than normal, and older leaves may curl upward or downward before shedding.
Fruit symptoms include uneven ripening, with patches of pale green or yellow on otherwise mature peppers. In severe cases, the skin becomes rough, and small, translucent specks appear where mites have fed on the fruit surface.
Typical signs can be summarized:
- Yellow‑silver stippling on leaf undersides, expanding to larger bronzed patches
- Fine silk webbing along veins, increasing to dense cobwebs on foliage and stems
- Curling, bronzing, and premature leaf drop
- Reduced vigor, smaller new shoots, overall stunted plant habit
- Patchy discoloration and surface specks on developing or mature peppers
Recognizing these characteristics early enables prompt intervention before the infestation spreads throughout the crop.