Clover Mite

Scientific Name: Bryobia praetiosa

Order & Family: Order: Trombidiformes, Family: Tetranychidae

Size: Approximately 0.75 mm to 0.85 mm (about the size of a pinhead)

Clover Mite

Natural Habitat

Typically found in grassy areas, lawns, and on the surfaces of buildings or windowsills, especially in spring and fall.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; they feed on the sap of more than 200 plant species, including grasses, clover, and some ornamental flowers.

Behavior Patterns

They are active during cool weather and often enter homes in large numbers through cracks in foundations or windows. If crushed, they leave a distinct reddish or rusty stain from their body pigments.

Risks & Benefits

They do not bite humans or pets, carry diseases, or cause structural damage. Their main risk is being a nuisance pest that leaves red stains on furniture, curtains, and carpets when crushed. They play a minor role in the soil ecosystem.

Identified on: 12/31/2025