Desert spider mite

Tetranychus desertorum

Examine leaves with a hand lens for spider mites. Frequently, infestations include a mixture of spider mite species. Adult mites are about 0.06 inch in length, have four pairs of legs, are greenish to pink or cream colored, and have various sized black spots on the body. Under warm conditions spider mites move rapidly within the colony area. Spider mites have four stages of development: the oval, somewhat translucent egg; a six-legged translucent immature stage;  an eight-legged immature stage; and the eight-legged adult stage. A generation may pass in as few as 5 to 7 days in mid-summer, or in a month during cool periods. Spider mites produce webbing that is often filled with cast skins, dust, and other debris.

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