Peach Silver Mite

Peach silver mites are tiny, four-legged eriophyid mites, yellow to pinkish white, and somewhat wedge shaped, being broadest just behind the anterior end. Because they are so tiny, they are difficult to see without a hand lens of at least 10X power.

Peach silver mites overwinter as females in bark crevices, around buds, and under bud scales. They move to leaves soon after budbreak in spring. These mites can also be found on small fruit, often inhabiting the area between the calyx and the fruit. Later in the season they are found primarily on the lower leaf surface. Before leaf fall, females move to overwintering sites. Many generations are produced during the season.

Injury is not usually noticed until mid- to late summer when heavily infested leaves take on a silvery appearance.