Organic Insecticides
Spider Mites
Spider mites are one of the most common pests that infest all kinds of plants, such as flower and vegetable plants, shade trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Find out more about this little creature here.
The spider mite is a common pest of plants that infest gardens and yards, affecting vegetable and flower plants, herbaceous plants, shrubs, and shade trees. Belonging to the family Tetranychidae, spider mites are classified as a kind of arachnid, and are related to daddy-longlegs, spiders, ticks, and scorpions. Unlike other insects, which have three parts of the body and six legs, the spider mite’s body is made up of one part with eight legs. They also do not have compound eyes, antennae, and wings. The spider mite is small in size and it is usually difficult to spot with the naked eye. They range in color from brown and red to green and yellow, according to their species and the seasonal changes that occur in them.
Many types of spider mites make webbing, especially when their populations are high, which provides them and their eggs protection from fluctuations in the environment as well as their natural enemies. The webbing produced by spider mites is often mistaken for webbing made by spiders and also the fluff that is created by cottonwoods.
Some of the common types of spider mites are: two-spotted spider mite; southern red mite; spruce mite; boxwood mite; clover mite; elm spider mite; linden spider mite; maple spider mite; oak red mite; willow spider mite; honeylocust spider mite.
The Life Cycle of Spider Mites
The honeylocust spider mite overwinters in its adult form in the crevices of the bark on trees, while the two-spotted spider mite overwinters in its adult form within the soil. Most of the common types of spider mites overwinter as miniscule sized round eggs on the bark and leaves of shrubs and trees, which hatch in the month of March or in April. The larvae that hatch from these eggs have just six legs initially, however, after they molt the nymphs become eight-legged. Both the larvae as well as the nymph look just like the adults. It takes about 5-21 days for the egg to develop into an adult, according to the species of spider mite as well as weather conditions. Each year can produce several generations. When the conditions are favorable, there can be a rapid increase in their population.
Spider mites that occur in broad-leafed evergreens and conifers are pests that infest in the cool weather. They are heavy feeders and reproduce rapidly in the spring season and in fall. The spider mites that occur in oak, willow, elm, linden, and honeylocust are at their most destructive during the summer season.
As a matter of fact, it is during the warm months that the activity of most species of spider mites peak. Their development is very rapid at this time, and it takes as little as a week for them to become full-grown after hatching. After they mate, the female spider mite can lay a dozen eggs everyday for two weeks. This high rate of egg production and rapid rate of development can result in high increases in their population.
The Type of Damage Caused by Spider Mites
The spider mite uses its sharp, needlelike appendage, known as stylet, to rupture the cells of leaves, then it pushes its mouth into the tear and sucks up the sap of each cell. This soon results in small cell patches being killed, which causes the surfaces of the leaves to become flecked or stippled. When there is a heavy infestation of spider mites in a plant, the foliage becomes gray, yellow, bleached, or bronzed. If left untreated, these plants lose their strength, become increasingly weak, and can even die.
How can Spider Mites be Controlled?
Spider mite populations can be controlled to some extent by certain types of predatory mites, thrips, and lady beetles, however, this occurs only after considerable destruction due to mite infestation. Most types of insecticides are ineffective against spider mites, while some like carbaryl may actually exacerbate the problem by destroying their natural enemies. Horticultural oils can be used during early part of spring or winter. In the summer, it is best to use an insecticidal soap or a miticide. Mites can be physically removed by using a forceful jet of water periodically on the plants.
By: Rita Putatunda
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