What does the spider mite look like on indoor plants? - briefly
Spider mites are microscopic, pale‑green to reddish specks that congregate on the undersides of leaves, often leaving a fine webbing. Their feeding causes stippled, yellow‑ish discoloration and tiny, silvery spots on foliage.
What does the spider mite look like on indoor plants? - in detail
Spider mites on houseplants are microscopic arachnids, typically 0.2–0.5 mm long, barely visible to the naked eye. Adults are oval, with a soft, translucent body that may appear pale yellow, green, or reddish depending on the species and plant tissue consumed. Their legs are long and slender, giving a spider‑like silhouette when magnified.
Key visual indicators include:
- Fine, silvery webbing stretched between leaf undersides, stems, and flower buds; webs are most evident after several days of infestation.
- Tiny, discolored specks or stippling on foliage, often described as a “peppery” pattern; these are feeding scars where mites have pierced plant cells.
- Leaf curling or yellowing, especially on the lower surface, caused by loss of chlorophyll and tissue collapse.
- Presence of moving dots on the leaf underside; adult mites and motile nymphs can be seen with a magnifying lens or under low‑power microscope.
Life‑stage characteristics aid identification:
- Eggs are oval, white, and laid in clusters on the leaf underside, often embedded in the web.
- Larvae (first stage) are six‑legged and smaller than adults; they appear as tiny, pale specks.
- Nymphs (second and third stages) develop eight legs and gradually increase in size and color intensity before reaching adulthood.
Damage progresses rapidly in warm, dry indoor environments. Early detection relies on inspecting the undersides of leaves, focusing on new growth and areas where webbing accumulates. Using a 10× hand lens, observers can confirm spider mite presence by spotting the characteristic oval bodies, leg arrangement, and egg clusters.