A rapid increase in spider mite populations is closely associated with drought conditions and symptoms are very similar from a distance. Color plate . In mild winters, they may continue to feed and lay eggs. There are two nymphal stages. After the larval and each nymphal stage, a resting stage occurs.
Adults mate soon after emerging from the last resting stage.
In warm weather, the females soon begin laying approximately 100 eggs each. Development is rapid in hot, dry weather. A generation requires 1 to 3 weeks to mature. One form of cultural control is the destruction of weeds around fields in the fall or early spring. This practice eliminates much of the overwintering mite population.