Spider Mites
Tetranychidae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Chelicerata
- Class: Arachnida
- Subclass: Acari
- Superorder: Acariformes
- Order: Trombidiformes
- Suborder: Prostigmata
- Infraorder: Eleutherengona
- Superfamily: Tetranychoidea
- Family: Tetranychidae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Tetranychidae: /ˌtɛtrəˈnɪkɪdiː/
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Summary
Spider mites are small, plant-feeding arachnids belonging to the Tetranychidae family, which includes around 1,200 species. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can rapidly reproduce, creating heavy infestations that may damage plants. Natural predators and various control measures are employed to manage their populations.
Physical Characteristics
Mites in the Tetranychidae family vary in color from yellowish, orangish, reddish to red and are usually less than 1mm long. They lay small, spherical, initially transparent eggs and spin silk webs for protection.
Identification Tips
Look for fine netting of silk on infested plants and tiny spherical eggs or broken egg shells on leaves.
Habitat
Spider mites generally live on the undersides of leaves of plants.
Distribution
The best known species, Tetranychus urticae, has a cosmopolitan distribution and affects a wide range of plants, while other species are specific to certain commercial plants.
Diet
Spider mites feed on the sap of various plant species by puncturing plant cells.
Life Cycle
In optimal conditions, the two-spotted spider mite can hatch in as little as 3 days and become sexually mature in as little as 5 days. Females can lay up to 20 eggs per day.
Reproduction
Spider mites are haplodiploid; fertilized eggs produce diploid females, while unfertilized eggs produce haploid males.
Predators
Predatory mites from the family Phytoseiidae, such as Phytoseiulus persimilis, prey on adult spider mites and their eggs, consuming several per day.
Ecosystem Role
Spider mites can damage plant hosts significantly, impacting ecosystem dynamics and agricultural productivity.
Economic Impact
Spider mites can cause economic damage to crops, affecting a wide range of plants including peppers, tomatoes, and strawberries.
Similar Taxa
- Phytoseiidae (predatory mites)
- Hymenopterans
- Scale insects
Tags
- Tetranychidae
- Spider Mites
- Agriculture
- Pest Control
- Arachnids