What are the red spiders on my plants?
Tiny red ‘spiders’ on house plants and greenhouse crops are actually sap-sucking mites called red spider mites. There are many types of spider mite, but in the UK the red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is the species most likely to be found on indoor and greenhouse-grown plants. Red spider mites are around 0.5mm long and are also known as the two-spotted mite. They are usually considered a pest as they suck sap from plants, reducing their vigour. If left unchecked, red spider mites can multiply quickly and wreak havoc in a greenhouse or on house plants indoors.
For most of the year, red spider mites are a pale green colour with two dark spots on their back, but in autumn and winter they turn orange-red and may be spotted in cracks in windowsills and in our homes, as they look for places to hibernate. Red spider mites thrive in hot, dry conditions so life in the greenhouse or a centrally-heated home suits them perfectly. If the temperature stays above 12ºC, red spider mites can breed all year round.
Red spider mite symptomsRed spider mites are easy to spot on green house plants and house plants. The easiest way to identify them is to look for fine, cobweb-like webbing on the leaves and stems of plants, while mottling is visible on the upper surface of leaves. Using a magnifying glass, look for small mites and eggs on the undersides of leaves. Affected plants will lack vigour and may eventually die.
Find red spider mite onSpider mites are typically found on house plants and greenhouse plants, including greenhouse tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines and peppers, along with perennial crops like grapevines, peach and nectarine trees. Vulnerable house plants include poinsettias and
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