There are four legs extending forward and 4 legs extending behind. The adult male is flat, reddish and more wedge shaped than the female. During the inactive stage this mite assumes a characteristic position with its feeding stylets penetrating the plant tissue and legs straightened outward. The red and black flat mite feeds throughout the day and night. Females start feeding soon after emergence and must do so before laying eggs.
Females usually remain near the area in which they hatched if food is ample and suitable.
The larvae, nymphs and adults of M. hawaiiensis attack all active stages of the red and black flat mite and may survive solely on them. The above mentioned predators generally do not provide economic control because their predatory activity becomes apparent when the prey population density is very high and severe plant damage has already occurred. Because this mite reproduces parthenogenically, as do most other false spider mites, they do not have the genetic variability and mixing of most mite species that reproduce sexually. Although the red and black flat mite is resistant to certain organophosphates, it is susceptible to most acaricides. However, resistance may develop if selection pressure is high due to frequent pesticide applications.