Community identification
Two-spotted spider mite
Tetranychus urticae
- Order & Family
- Acari (mite lineage), family Tetranychidae
- Size
- Adults are about 0.3–0.5 mm long; eggs are roughly 0.1 mm.
Natural Habitat
Leaf undersides and sheltered stems of herbaceous plants, especially in warm, dry conditions, greenhouses, and gardens.
Diet & Feeding
Pierces plant cells and sucks their contents, causing stippling, yellowing, and sometimes fine webbing.
Behavior Patterns
Rapidly reproduces in warm conditions; eggs hatch in several days, and populations can surge quickly. Individuals disperse by crawling or riding air currents on silk.
Risks & Benefits
A significant agricultural and greenhouse pest that can stunt or kill plants during heavy infestations. It has little direct benefit to humans, though it is prey for predatory mites and insects.