What does a mite look like on houseplants? - briefly
Mites are microscopic, typically 0.1–0.5 mm oval organisms that may appear as tiny moving dots, fine webbing, or cause stippled, discolored patches on foliage. They range from translucent to reddish‑brown in color.
What does a mite look like on houseplants? - in detail
Mites that colonize indoor foliage are microscopic arachnids, typically ranging from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm in length. Their bodies are oval or elongated, covered with a soft, translucent exoskeleton that may appear pale green, yellow, brown, or reddish depending on species and feeding stage. Legs are eight, slender, and often extend beyond the body, giving a spider‑like silhouette when observed under magnification.
Key visual indicators on the plant include:
- Speckled or stippled discoloration: tiny, irregularly shaped pale spots on leaf surfaces, often forming a mosaic pattern.
- Webbing: fine silk threads, especially on the undersides of leaves, at leaf axils, or along stems; the web may be barely visible to the naked eye but becomes apparent when leaves are gently brushed.
- Leaf distortion: curling, crinkling, or stunted growth in affected foliage; edges may appear bronzed or bronzy‑brown.
- Visible mites: on a magnifying lens, individual mites can be seen moving slowly across the leaf surface or clustered in groups near veins.
Common species on houseplants include spider mites (Tetranychidae), broad‑necked mites (Brevipalpus), and cyclamen mites (Phytonemus). Spider mites often display a reddish hue and produce a noticeable web, while broad‑necked mites are more uniformly pale and tend to hide in leaf crevices. Cyclamen mites are extremely small, nearly invisible without a microscope, but cause distinctive silvering of leaves.
Inspection protocol:
- Examine the upper and lower leaf surfaces under 10–30× magnification.
- Look for stippling, discoloration, and any silk threads.
- Gently tap leaves over white paper; displaced mites may fall and become visible as tiny moving specks.
- Check leaf axils, stem junctions, and soil surface for clusters or webs.
Recognizing these characteristics enables prompt identification and targeted treatment of mite infestations on indoor plants.