There are a variety of species of spider mites, but they are not readily distinguishable in the field. The life cycles, diets, and predators of the various species are virtually identical. Spider mites are in the class Arachnida and are closely related to ticks. Mites have a six legged nymph stage and an eight legged adult stage. They have a one-sectioned body and lack compound eyes.
Mites lack chewing mouth parts, but use chelicerae to suck out cell contents.
Spider mites are serious pests on over 30 types of economically significant crops. Leaf damage occurs from spider mites because they remove chlorophyll, water, and nutrients from leaf cells. Infestations are recognizable by spotting of plants and a network of webbing on the underside of the leaves. Heavy infestations will kill a plant. Infestations often spread to crops from the preferred hosts, weeds and certain flowers, that are nearby.