Many strawberry pests, insects, mites and others, can cause appreciable losses in quality and quantity of fruit or plants. The two-spotted spider mite feeds on the undersurface of strawberry leaves, causing a curling and discoloration of the leaves. Attacked foliage is covered with a fine webbing. Eggs are laid on the undersurface, usually along the veins. There are many crop and weed hosts of this mite.
Damage is more severe in dry weather and during the dry months of late summer.
The complete cycle may only take 10 to 30 days, depending upon temperature. It overwinters in debris at the base of the plants. Sometimes referred to as the strawberry crown mite. Cyclamen mite feeding causes the development of small, distorted leaves and a rosetted plant. It feeds extensively on young, unfolding leaves in the crown, and causes a stunting and dwarfing of the leaves.