What do spider mites not eat? - briefly
Spider mites feed exclusively on living plant tissue, extracting sap from leaves and stems. They do not consume animal matter, fungi, or dead organic material.
What do spider mites not eat? - in detail
Spider mites obtain nutrients exclusively from the cells of living plant tissue. They cannot digest dead organic material, so they avoid any plant part that lacks active metabolism. Consequently, they do not feed on bark, stems that have become woody, or any tissue that has ceased photosynthetic activity.
The insects also reject non‑plant substrates. They will not consume:
- Animal proteins or carrion
- Fungal spores and mycelium
- Inert surfaces such as glass, plastic, or painted wood
- Soil particles and mineral matter
Within living plants, spider mites specialize in extracting sap from the undersides of leaves and, in some species, from flower buds. They do not exploit:
- Roots, because the underground environment is unsuitable for their mobility and exposure to sunlight
- Mature woody stems, whose cells are lignified and lack the thin walls required for piercing
- Fully ripened fruits with thick, protective skins, which impede their stylet penetration
Their feeding mechanism—piercing‑sucking mouthparts—requires a thin, pliable epidermis. Any tissue that is hardened, heavily lignified, or devoid of cellular fluid is unsuitable. Therefore, spider mites ignore:
- Leaves that have become senescent and desiccated
- Seed coats and hard shells
- Galls or other plant structures that are heavily calcified
In summary, spider mites are restricted to soft, photosynthetically active plant tissues and will not ingest dead organic matter, animal material, fungal organisms, or any hardened plant parts that lack accessible cell contents.