How to Identify Two-Spotted Spider Mites

Two-spotted spider mites are a common and serious pest of over 200 species of plants, trees and fruit crops. Identifying the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) can be challenging because of the mite's small size. Here's how to identify these miniscule pests.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Look for the two-spotted spider mite in its preferred habitats all over North America in orchards, gardens and greenhouses. You'll find these mites feeding on the undersides of leaves, fruits or flowers of plants, trees and fruit crops. In the fall, you may find two-spotted spider mites inside of homes and buildings as the mites try to escape the cooling weather.

2. Take note of the appearance of two-spotted spider mites. These mites can have varying body colors ranging from yellow to green to translucent. Some two-spotted spider mites can also have a red color, with two large dark spots on their abdomens. Two-spotted spider mites also have sharp mouthparts and legs covered with black bristles. The overall shape of the two-spotted spider mite resembles that of a flattened oval.

3. Estimate a two-spotted spider mite's size. These spider mites are very tiny ranging from only 1/64th to 1/32nd of an inch in length. Female two-spotted spider mites are larger in size than males.

4. Observe the two-spotted spider mite's behavior. These spider mites can run fast and they can also be easily disturbed by humans. You can find two-spotted spider mites spinning loose, silk webs on plants as well. These particular mites do remain very still while they feed on plants, however.

Tips & Warnings

• You can find the largest populations of two-spotted spider mites during the summer, especially when hot and dry conditions exist.
• Most two-spotted spider mites die in the winter due to the cold temperatures.
• Because two-spotted spider mites are so small in size, use a hand lens to better see any mites present on a leaf or a plant.