It is smaller and lighter in color. During periods when the mites run out of food or environmental conditions are unfavorable, they may temporarily turn bright red. This mite lacks the elongated front pair of legs of the clover mite. Banks grass mite is more destructive to turf than other turfgrass mites. A slight purpling of the injured grass blade may be observed, which also is associated with brown wheat mite injury.
Dead grass takes on a brownish-yellow color and the blades are stiff.
Under favorable conditions, severe injury can progress rapidly. Almost all serious injury by Banks grass mite is related to drought stress. The Banks grass mite adapts more to warm weather than the other common turf damaging mites and is found throughout most of the growing season. Banks grass mites overwinter as adult females. During the cold months they are dormant, bright salmon, and rest at the base of the plants.