In greenhouses or during mild winters, some feeding and egg-laying activities may continue. The number of eggs laid depends largely on temperature. After an incubation period of 3 to 19 days, six-legged larvae hatch from the eggs and feed. Immature mites go through a resting period between the larval and nymphal stages and again after each of the two nymphal instars. The mites may mature into adults in as few as 5 days or as many as 20, depending on temperature.
Development is most rapid during hot, dry weather.
Many generations are produced each year. One form of cultural control is the destruction of weeds around the field in fall or early spring. This practice reduces the overwintering population. Destruction of weeds along fence rows or around the edges of fields during the growing season is not advisable. Such weed control forces mites to migrate into the field.