Tetranychidae

Definition

A family of minute arachnids in the order Trombidiformes, commonly called spider mites. Members are plant-feeding mites characterized by their ability to spin silk webbing for protection and dispersal. The family comprises approximately 1,200 described species in three subfamilies (Bryobinae, Tetranychinae, Bryonychinae), many of which are significant agricultural and horticultural pests that feed by piercing individual plant cells and extracting contents, producing characteristic stippling damage on leaves.

Etymology

From genus Tetranychus + -idae (family suffix)

Example

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), a cosmopolitan member of Tetranychidae, is among the most economically damaging pests of greenhouse crops and field vegetables worldwide.

Synonyms

• Spider mites

Related Terms

• Acari
• Trombidiformes
• Tetranychus
• mite
• phytophagous
• stippling damage
• silk webbing
• Integrated Pest Management

Usage Notes

Strictly refers to the family rank; 'spider mite' is the vernacular equivalent but also applies loosely to some non-tetranychid plant mites. Distinguished from predatory mites in Phytoseiidae by feeding habit and web-spinning behavior. The family is sometimes grouped with Tenuipalpidae (false spider mites) in the superfamily Tetranychoidea, though this classification varies among sources.