This species has two dark spots, composed of food content, showing through the transparent body wall. The abdomen is oval and sparsely covered with spines. The adult male is smaller than the female and is characterized by its distinctly pointed abdomen. It sometimes has an orange or brown tinge and is usually more active than the female. The female is more robust than the male and is more oval in shape. Color of the female can vary; typically, it is a pale leaf-green, but it can also be tinged with yellow, brown, and sometimes orange.

The twospotted spider mite is an occasional pest on citrus, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley. Its damage potential varies from year to year and is related to water stress and heat. Monitor for twospotted spider mite year round and spray with the most selective miticide to preserve natural enemies. Since they’re so hard to spot, the best way to check for spider mite activity is to look for their distinct webbing and plant damage. If you notice plant foliage has small holes, and there’s webbing nearby, you likely have a spider mite infestation on your hands.

2 Spot Spider Mite

All stages of the twospotted spider mite overwinter in protected places on the tree, such as the navel of navel oranges, under the button, and where fruit touch. If the weather is mild, mites continue to feed and reproduce during winter. Activity increases in late spring and peaks in summer. Spider mites first appear on the underside of leaves and when numbers increase, they can also be found on the upper side of leaves and on fruit. They cover leaves and fruit with conspicuous webbing.

Eggs are spherical and translucent when first laid, becoming opaque before hatching. Immature mites molt three times before becoming adults; under ideal conditions, a generation can be completed in 7 days.

You can grow a surprising amount of food in your own yard. Ask me how!
​~ Kate

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2 Spotted Spider Mite Life Cycle

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