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||Adult spider mites range in size from
0.25 to 0.5 mm long and have eight legs. Adults and nymphs range in color from pale yellow
to light green with two dark spots on either side of the abdomen. Mites overwinter as
mated females in cracks in the soil or in crop debris. Females emerge in the spring and
begin laying eggs on plant foliage. Eggs hatch in about a week, depending on temperature.
A complete life cycle requires one to three weeks. Feeding injury causes the leaves
to appear mottled and injured leaves become brown or bronze and drop from the plant. There
are several overlapping generations each year.
Mites and Eggs
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Sheet for More Information
This section contains information on the management of
twospotted spider mites in peppermint. The Fact Sheet contains specific information on
identifcation and biology of this pest (requires Acrobat Reader). Select a category
from the contents menu for additional information on sampling, development, and management
of spider mites.