SUCKING INSECTS

INSECTS AND MITES THAT SUCK THE JUICES FROM FOLIAGE, FRUITS, STEMS AND ROOTS, CAUSING DISCOLORATION, STUNTING DEFORMED FRUIT AND OTHER DAMAGE

TWOSPOTTED MITE, Tetranychus urticae Koch,
also Tetranychus marianae (Linnaeus), Oligonychus spp. and others
Description PictureDamage
  • twospotted mite is green with a dark spot on each side
  • other mites are carmine red
  • nymphs resemble adults and may be yellowish
  • about 1/60 of an inch or less
  • usually webbing is present
  • often on the underside of the leaves

    • Photo credit: W. L. Sterling, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University
  • mites pierce leaves and suck plant sap
  • plants lose color and fade grom green to yellow
  • may appear reddish in later stages
  • "bronzeing" of the leaf is characteristic



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    Last modified: March 31, 1998