High populations of mites can weaken strawberry plants and there may be a visible webbing on the undersides of leaves and between leaflets and stems. Feeding by spider mites reduces vigor and yield and may lead to stunting or death. Two-spotted spider mites are light to dark green with two distinctive black spots on the abdomen. Eggs are spherical and clear when first laid. After hatching the larva has three pairs of legs, but later stages will have four pairs.
Males are smaller with more pointed abdomens than females.
Females can lay 200 eggs, and during hot, dry weather the life cycle may be completed in 7 days. Because mites can be a problem at any time of the year, plants should be monitored throughout the summer. Growers should pay particular attention to fields during hot, dry weather and fields with a history of mite problems. To monitor for mites, walk diagonally across the field and randomly pick one mature leaflet from every other row until 60 leaflets are collected. Indiscriminate use of pesticides can create mite problems.