What does a cucumber mite look like on a leaf? - briefly
Cucumber mites are minute, translucent to pale‑yellow ovals about 0.2–0.5 mm long, typically gathered on the leaf’s underside and producing stippled, yellow‑white spots where they feed. Their legs are scarcely visible and they seldom produce webbing, a trait that separates them from spider mites.
What does a cucumber mite look like on a leaf? - in detail
Cucumber mites are microscopic arachnids, typically 0.1–0.2 mm long, with an elongated, oval body. The exoskeleton appears translucent to pale green, allowing internal organs to be faintly visible. Four pairs of legs extend from the anterior region; each leg is slender and bears fine setae that aid in locomotion across the leaf surface. The dorsal surface is covered with a sparse arrangement of short, hair‑like setae, giving a slightly fuzzy texture when examined under magnification.
On a leaf, individuals concentrate on the underside, especially along the midrib and secondary veins where humidity is higher. They form dense colonies that may be observed as tiny, moving specks. The feeding activity erodes cell contents, producing a stippled pattern of pale, chlorotic spots. As populations increase, fine webbing may appear, linking clusters of mites and further obscuring the leaf tissue.
Key visual characteristics for field identification:
- Size: 0.1–0.2 mm, invisible to the naked eye, requiring a hand lens or microscope.
- Body shape: elongated, oval, slightly flattened.
- Color: translucent to light green; may appear yellowish when engorged with plant sap.
- Leg arrangement: four pairs of slender legs with minute setae.
- Dorsal setae: sparse, short hairs giving a subtle fuzzy appearance.
- Location: predominantly on the leaf’s lower surface, near veins.
- Damage signs: minute chlorotic stippling, occasional fine web strands.
Observing these traits under appropriate magnification confirms the presence of cucumber mites on foliage.