What does spider mite damage look like? - briefly
Spider mite damage appears as tiny, pale speckles on leaf surfaces that merge into a stippled, yellow‑to‑bronze discoloration, often accompanied by a fine, silk‑like web on the undersides. Affected foliage may curl, dry, and drop prematurely as the mites feed on plant sap.
What does spider mite damage look like? - in detail
Spider mites feed by piercing plant cells and extracting their contents, leaving a characteristic pattern of injury. The most immediate sign is a stippled or speckled discoloration on the leaf surface. Tiny, pale spots, often yellow, bronze, or light green, appear between the veins, giving the foliage a mottled appearance. As feeding continues, the stippling coalesces into larger, dead patches that may turn brown or necrotic.
A secondary symptom is the formation of fine webbing. Web is typically found on the undersides of leaves, at leaf joints, and along the stems. The silk is delicate, resembling a thin cobweb, and may be difficult to see until it accumulates.
Leaf edges may curl upward or downward, creating a distorted silhouette. In severe cases, leaves become thin, brittle, and may drop prematurely. Stunted growth, reduced fruit set, and overall vigor loss accompany extensive infestations.
Additional clues include:
- Presence of tiny, moving dots (the mites themselves), usually 0.2–0.5 mm in size, often visible only with a magnifying lens.
- Discoloration that intensifies under strong sunlight, revealing a more pronounced contrast between damaged and healthy tissue.
- A dusty or powdery residue on leaves, composed of mite feces and shed skins.
Recognizing these visual cues early enables targeted control measures before the population reaches damaging levels.