Feeding damage is pronounced on young papayas and injured areas become sunken because they grow at a different rate than the unaffected tissues. Reproduction primarily occurs through unfertilized parthenogenesis. Eggs produce only females. Because of the size of these insects it is very difficult to see the different stages without the use of a microscope. The duration of different life stages varies with temperature and humidity.
Generations are continuous in Hawaii, often overlapping.
EGGS Eggs are deposited in cracks, crevices and other protected areas on the plant surface. When first laid they are light orange, soft and very sticky. At this time they readily adhere to any surface. Eggs have a stipe, a tail-like projection, that extends from the slightly pointed end that came out of the female mite last. This stipe often breaks off if the egg is handled.