Two-spotted spider mite

Natural Habitat

Found on the undersides of leaves in agricultural fields, greenhouses, and home gardens globally.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; they use needle-like mouthparts to pierce individual plant cells and suck out the contents, primarily chloroplasts.

Behavior Patterns

They produce fine silk webbing to protect the colony and facilitate movement. They reproduce rapidly in hot, dry conditions and can go from egg to adult in as little as 5 days.

Risks & Benefits

Major agricultural pest that causes stippling, yellowing, and leaf drop in over 200 plant species. They pose no direct risk to humans but can devastate crops and ornamental plants.

Identified on: 6/15/2026