Two-spotted spider mite

Insect

Two-spotted spider mite

Tetranychus urticae Koch

Acari: Tetranychidae

Photos

Two-spotted spider mites can be seen with a 20X hand lens.

Two-spotted spider mites can be seen with a 20X hand lens. Rufus Isaacs

This mite can cause severe damage to wine grapes if populations reach high densities. Thin-leaved varieties are most susceptible. These mites overwinter in leaf litter, develop on weeds in spring and move onto the vine as ground cover dries in summer. Water-stressed vines are most at risk.

  • Crops Affected: grapes

    Damage

    The mite's feeding removes leaf tissue, causing yellowing and then bronzing.

    Management

    The most effective method of control is to protect predatory mites. Biological control is achieved with one predatory mite per 10 two-spotted mites.

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