The undersurfaces of the leaves usually have silken webs over which the mites crawl, though a heavily infested plant may have webs all over it. Close examination reveals adult mites on the leaves. Life history - Twospotted spider mites overwinter as females resistant to low temperatures. In mild winters, they may continue to feed and lay eggs. After the larval and each nymphal stage, there is a resting stage.
Development is rapid in hot, dry weather.
One generation may mature in as few as 5 days or as many as 20. One form of cultural control is the destruction of weeds around the field in fall or early spring. This practice reduces the overwintering population. The maintenance of clean turn rows also reduces infestation. The destruction of weeds or the clearing of fence rows during the growing season forces mites to migrate into field crops.