Spider Mites can be a major problem on many woody ornamental plants. Feeding by spider mites causes discoloration, dirty appearance and early leaf drop. Spider mites are related to spiders, having eight legs. These pests are extremely small and are difficult to detect unless viewed with a 10X hand lens. Under appropriate conditions adults resume activity or eggs hatch.
Many generations can occur over a single season.
Adult females can live for several weeks, laying many eggs daily. Mite development, from eggs to adults, occurs within days, which accounts for rapid build up of large damaging populations on plants. How Spider Mites Cause Damage Spider mites have needlelike mouth parts, which pierce cells and suck fluids out. The feeding action causes fine stippling or flecking of foliage. With large mite populations on plants, entire leaves can become yellow or bronze.