What does spider mite look like on indoor plants? - briefly
Spider mites are microscopic, pale‑green to reddish mites about 0.2–0.5 mm long that congregate on the undersides of leaves, often leaving a fine, silky web. Infested foliage displays stippled discoloration, yellowing, and a dusty web covering the plant surfaces.
What does spider mite look like on indoor plants? - in detail
Spider mites on indoor foliage are tiny arachnids, typically 0.2–0.5 mm long, invisible to the naked eye without close inspection. Adults are usually pale yellow, greenish, or reddish, with elongated bodies and eight legs that appear as fine hairs. Their bodies lack distinct segmentation, giving a smooth, spindle‑shaped silhouette.
The most recognizable sign of infestation is a fine, silvery web covering the undersides of leaves, stems, and sometimes the entire plant. Webbing may appear as a delicate veil or as dense clusters around leaf veins. Beneath the web, leaves exhibit a stippled or mottled pattern caused by the mites feeding on plant sap. The damage manifests as tiny, pale spots that coalesce into larger yellow or bronze patches, eventually leading to leaf curling, bronzing, and premature drop.
Three life stages are visible during an outbreak:
- Eggs – oval, translucent, laid in clusters on leaf surfaces; hatch within 3–5 days.
- Larvae – six‑legged, lighter in color, move quickly across leaf tissue; feed for 2–4 days.
- Adults – eight‑legged, slightly larger, reproduce within a week of reaching maturity.
Inspection should focus on the lower leaf surface, where mites congregate and webbing is most concentrated. A magnifying glass or handheld microscope reveals the mites’ distinctive eight‑legged form and the fine, pale web strands. In severe cases, webbing may extend to the plant’s potting medium and surrounding airspace, indicating a population explosion.
Key identification cues:
- Fine, silky web on leaf undersides or between leaf folds.
- Minute, moving specks resembling dust particles.
- Leaf discoloration: stippling, bronzing, and curling.
- Presence of egg clusters on leaf veins or petioles.
Recognizing these characteristics enables early intervention before the infestation spreads to neighboring plants.