What does a spider mite look like on cucumbers? - briefly
Spider mites appear as minute, 0.2‑0.5 mm, pale yellow to reddish specks on cucumber leaves, often forming tiny colonies that look like stippled or dusty patches. Their presence is usually accompanied by fine, silky webbing on the leaf surface.
What does a spider mite look like on cucumbers? - in detail
Spider mites on cucumber vines are extremely small arthropods, typically 0.3–0.5 mm in length. Adults are oval, translucent to pale yellow, and may appear reddish when filled with blood from feeding. Their eight legs are long and slender, giving the mite a spider‑like silhouette. Eggs are oval, white, and laid in clusters on the underside of leaves. Larvae (or “nymphs”) are slightly smaller than adults, lack developed reproductive organs, and display a lighter coloration.
Visible signs include:
- Fine, silvery webbing covering leaf undersides, stems, and fruit. Webs are especially dense near feeding sites.
- Speckled or stippled foliage: tiny, pale spots where the mite has removed chlorophyll.
- Yellowing or bronzing of leaf tissue, often beginning at the leaf margin and spreading inward.
- Stunted growth of vines and reduced fruit size due to nutrient loss.
Location patterns help differentiate spider mites from other cucumber pests. They concentrate on the lower leaf surface, where the webbing is most apparent, whereas aphids and whiteflies are typically found on the upper surface or along stems. Webs are not produced by thrips or beetles, making the presence of silk a reliable diagnostic feature.
When examining plants, use a magnifying lens or hand lens at 10–30× magnification. Look for the characteristic elongated legs and the distinct, oval shape of the mite’s body. In severe infestations, the web may obscure the leaves, and a high density of mites can be observed moving rapidly when disturbed.
Understanding these visual cues enables early detection and targeted control measures, preventing extensive damage to cucumber crops.