What eats a cobweb mite? - briefly
Predators of cobweb mites include phytoseiid predatory mites, ladybird beetles, lacewing larvae, and spiders. These arthropods routinely reduce mite numbers in homes and greenhouse settings.
What eats a cobweb mite? - in detail
Cobweb mites (Tetranychus urticae) are small arachnids that serve as prey for several arthropod and vertebrate predators. The most effective natural enemies include predatory insects, other mites, and certain spiders.
Predatory insects that regularly consume cobweb mites are:
- Lady beetles (Coccinellidae), especially species such as Stethorus punctillum and Stethorus punctum, which specialize in mite predation.
- Green lacewings (Chrysopidae), whose larvae grasp and ingest mites while foraging on plant surfaces.
- Minute pirate bugs (Anthocoridae), particularly Orius spp., which capture mites using their piercing‑sucking mouthparts.
Mite predators that target cobweb mites comprise:
- Phytoseiid mites, for example Neoseiulus californicus and Phytoseiulus persimilis, which actively hunt and feed on spider‑mite eggs and juveniles.
- Macrochelid mites, such as Macrocheles muscaedomesticae, which opportunistically feed on mite stages encountered in the leaf litter.
Spiders also contribute to mite mortality. Ground‑dwelling and foliage‑dwelling species, including Phylloneta spp. and various Linyphiidae, capture mites in their webs or during active hunting.
Vertebrate predators are less common but include:
- Some species of predatory mites that inhabit bird nests, where they encounter cobweb mites.
- Small birds that ingest mites while feeding on insects on foliage.
Biocontrol programs frequently release lady beetles, phytoseiid mites, and Orius spp. to suppress cobweb mite populations in greenhouse and field crops. Effective control depends on maintaining environmental conditions that favor these predators, such as adequate humidity for mite activity and avoidance of broad‑spectrum insecticides that could reduce predator numbers.