The adults and nymphs may be seen by looking on the underside of leaves with a hand lens. The two-spotted spider mite has a very short life cycle, completed from egg to adult in five to seven days during the summer. Mites feed on cotton and a wide range of other plants including apple, peach, strawberries, corn, soybean, various weeds, ornamentals, and others. Two-spotted spider mites have several natural control agents such as predaceous mites, minute pirate bugs, predaceous thrips, and diseases that control mite populations. Spider mites feed and reproduce on the underside of leaves.
Initial infestation occurs along leaf midribs.
Damage Spider mite infestation causes very small yellow spots to appear on the leaves resulting in a speckled appearance. The leaves may turn a red color during dry weather or when the infestation becomes heavier. Areas in fields infested with spider mites may appear lighter in color or reddish from a distance. Scouting Spider mite infestation is determined by direct examination of suspected areas while walking fields. Population levels should be classified according to the following criteria.