What do spider mite larvae look? - briefly
Spider mite larvae are microscopic, oval‑shaped, and semi‑transparent, typically showing a pale green to reddish hue. They have three pairs of legs and lack the extensive webbing seen in adults.
What do spider mite larvae look? - in detail
Spider mite immatures are tiny, typically 0.2–0.4 mm long, and translucent to pale yellow. Their bodies consist of a fused cephalothorax and abdomen, giving a bean‑shaped silhouette. The cuticle appears smooth under low magnification but reveals fine, evenly spaced setae when examined with a microscope. Each larva possesses six legs, each ending in a small claw that can grip plant surfaces. The legs are proportionally longer than those of adult mites, facilitating movement across leaf undersides.
Key visual traits include:
- Coloration: Almost colorless, sometimes with a faint greenish hue from plant sap.
- Body segmentation: No visible separation between head and body; the dorsal surface is a continuous dome.
- Setae pattern: Two rows of short hairs along each side of the dorsum, useful for species identification.
- Mouthparts: Styliform chelicerae, barely visible, adapted for piercing plant cells.
When freshly hatched, larvae lack the hardened dorsal shield (acariform) seen in adults. Their exuviae, left after molting, appear as tiny, translucent shells that cling to the leaf surface and can be mistaken for fungal spores. Recognizing these characteristics enables accurate monitoring of infestations before they progress to the more damaging nymphal and adult stages.