'Bugs News

Spider mites can cause extensive leaf damage Spider mites are tiny (1/32") plant-feeding mites (see drawing) that are important pests in both home gardens and commercial agriculture. Even a minor spider mite infestation can do significant damage to plant productivity. Injury is the result of damage to the plant's protective outer layers, the epidermis and cuticle , that occurs as the mites feed. Research has shown that injury to these layers causes excessive and uncontrolled water loss and eventually injured plants dry out and die (see photo of injured leaf below). Experiments Take a look at the photo of the two leaves. The photo was taken during an experiment to determine the effects of spider mite feeding on peppermint leaves. The leaf on the right was infested with spider mites, the leaf on the left was kept spider mite-free with a barrier of sticky material (not visible in this photo). After about 15 days the mites were removed and a variety of measurements were made ...

Have you ever found masses of brownish-green mites that seem to be invading your home ? You may have found large numbers around a window or on a counter top. If you crush the mites they leave a greenish stain. If you look closely, you might also have seen long front legs like the mite in the photo (left). These long legs are often mistaken for antennae . You probably found clover mites . Clover mites are actually a type of spider mite that feeds on plants and they occasionally enter homes from plants growing along the foundation of your home, entering through open windows or cracks. Most spider mites rarely if ever leave their host plants but clover mites are a little different. For reasons that are not entirely clear these mites will start a sort of " mass migration ", often in the spring, that can end with large numbers of mites on your interior walls and counters. Rest assured the mites are completely harmless except for the potential for staining of inte...