Tetranychus urticae

Two spotted mite larva has six legs when hatched and is a pale yellow-white. It then grows into an eight-legged nymph, the adult female growing to around 0.5 mm long and the adult male about 0.3 mm long. During summer feeding stage the adult females are a yellowish-green, with two dark spots, whilst males spots are less obvious.

Damage

As a piercing and sucking mite, they damage cells by piercing them and sucking the contents, leaves will turn a pale colour then bronze. common signs include early leaf dropping and fine spider webbing.

Control

Broad spectrum insecticides can significantly reduce numbers although it will also affect predatory mites.

The use of the predatory mite, T. occidentalis, which is available commercially in Australia has seen great success.