Mites

Various

Family: -

Order: - Acarina

Class - Arachnida

Description:

Body - Small and round.

Legs - Adult has 8

Eggs -

Biology:

Life Cycle:

Depends on the species but most are seasonal. Many species produce 2 types of eggs. The first is produced during the active season and will hatch immediately allowing numbers to build up very quickly. The second type is produced just before their inactive season and is dormant and won't hatch until environmental cues such as temperatures and moisture are met or some time has passed.

Habitats:

Origin and History:

Distribution:

Significance:

Mites is a general term covering a range of species in the spider family. They are all quite small and damage plants by rasping the leaf so that sap is exuded. This often leads to a silvering or bronzing of the leaves of the plant. Different mites have strong preferences for particular species. Plants may become stunted, producing little forage or grain or flowers, fruit and vegetables may be damaged and unsaleable.

Management and Control:

Control varies depending on the species and includes techniques such as seed treatment and strategic sprays.

Biological control developed by the CSIRO for a number of species.

Related Species:

Redlegged Earth Mite, Bryobia mite, Two spotted mite, Blue oat mite, Pea mite.

Similar Species:

References:

Acknowledgments:

Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 for more information.