Larvae tunnel and feed in developing fruit, often causing young fruit to drop. Larger peaches may show signs of attack by exuding droplets or strings of gum at the feeding site, but distortion of large fruit usually is less severe. 8-legged pests which feed on the undersides of leaves causing a whitish to yellow mottling of the leaves which may become bronzed. High populations of the two-spotted spider mite may be indicated by light webbing on leaves, twigs or fruit. Heavy mite infestations cause premature defoliation and reduce fruit size.
Damage usually is worst in forks and around wounds in the bark.
Often present in high numbers, their primary importance is as vectors of phony peach disease.