Many scale insects are serious pests of cultivated plants, particularly orchard trees, shrubs, and many greenhouse plants, and when numerous may kill the plant. Mites are really not even truly insects. They are in the same Phylum, but in a different class known as Arachnida. This is due to the fact that they have 4 pairs of legs as opposed to the usual 3 pairs for insects. Mites abdomen are unsegmented.
Body is more or less oval.
Photo at left depicts close-up view of adult spider mites. Notice the two black spots on their backs. Most are plant feeders, usually on palms, greenhouse plants and shrubs. Mites can cause severe foliage damage to plants. Some mites are known to be gall makers on Ficus spp .