
Community identification
Red palm mite
Raoiella indica
- Order & Family
- Order Trombidiformes, Family Tenuipalpidae
- Size
- Extremely tiny, measuring less than 0.3 millimeters in length.
Natural Habitat
Tropical and subtropical regions, primarily on the undersides of palm fronds and other monocots.
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous, piercing plant cells to feed on sap using needle-like mouthparts.
Behavior Patterns
Gregarously congregates in dense colonies on leaf undersides, producing fine red silk webbing.
Risks & Benefits
Agricultural pest causing significant leaf chlorosis and necrosis in coconut palms and ornamental plants.