Spider mites

Editorial diagnosis

Diagnosis overview

Spider mites are tiny sap-sucking mites that thrive in dry, warm conditions. They usually sit on leaf undersides and are often noticed only when leaves become finely speckled or webbing appears.

In gardens, Spider mites can occur on plants including Physalis pruinosa, Physalis peruviana, Apple, Aronia. In the available profiles, it is linked mainly with Berries, Cucurbits, Fruit. Recorded timing or triggers include Summer, especially during dry, warm weather., peak infestation June–September.

The recorded risk level is medium. Act quickly when webbing, heavy speckling, or rapid leaf loss appears.

Inspect leaf undersides, shoot tips, and the soil around the plant at different times of day. Eggs, larvae, droppings, webbing, or slime trails are often more diagnostic than one damaged leaf.

A common mistake is to treat feeding damage without checking the animal, eggs, larvae, time of activity, and affected plant parts.