What does a spider mite eat? - briefly
Spider mites feed primarily on the cellular contents of plant leaves, extracting sap from the epidermal and mesophyll tissues. Their diet includes the chlorophyll‑rich fluids of a wide range of ornamental and agricultural crops.
What does a spider mite eat? - in detail
Spider mites obtain nutrition primarily from plant tissue. They pierce leaf surfaces with their chelicerae and ingest the cell sap, which is rich in sugars, amino acids, and other soluble nutrients. This feeding method damages the mesophyll cells, leading to chlorosis, stippling, and reduced photosynthetic capacity.
Key aspects of their diet include:
- Host range: Over 300 plant species serve as food sources, spanning ornamental crops (e.g., roses, hibiscus), agricultural staples (e.g., beans, tomatoes, strawberries), and indoor foliage (e.g., pothos, philodendron). Preference varies among species; Tetranychus urticae favors broadleaf plants, while Tetranychus cinnabarinus often attacks cucurbits.
- Feeding sites: Mites concentrate on the undersides of leaves where humidity is higher and natural predators are less abundant. They may also colonize stems, fruit surfaces, and young shoots.
- Nutrient extraction: By extracting phloem and parenchyma fluids, mites deprive the plant of essential carbohydrates and nitrogenous compounds, causing wilting and leaf drop under heavy infestation.
- Supplementary intake: Some species ingest fungal spores or microbial films when plant tissue is scarce, but this constitutes a minor portion of their diet.
Environmental conditions influence feeding intensity. Warm temperatures (25‑30 °C) and low humidity accelerate reproduction and sap consumption, while cooler, humid climates suppress activity. Understanding these dietary habits aids in monitoring infestations and implementing targeted control measures.