European Red Mite European Red Mite Click Open to view a picture. Close the current picture before viewing another. European red mite damage Drawing of adult female Drawing of adult male Drawing of immature Drawing of overwintering egg European red mite, Panonychus ulmi , a major tree fruit pest attacking apples, stone fruits, and pears, is considered by many growers throughout Pennsylvania to be the most important apple pest. The mite was introduced into North America from Europe in the early 1900s and is now established in most fruit-growing areas.
Males are smaller, lighter in color, and have pointed abdomens.
Overwintering eggs are round, bright red, and have a small stalk, approximately the length of the diameter of the egg, arising from the top. Summer eggs are pale and translucent. Overwintering eggs are laid in groups on roughened bark, in crevices and cracks, and around bud scales on twigs and branches. Eggs begin to hatch at prepink bud stages and continue throughout bloom. Young mites move to newly opened leaves where they feed, mature, and reproduce.