Officials find new spider mite in Florida

Officials find new spider mite in Florida

Fla. Dept. of Ag & Consumer Services, Div. of Plant Industry, has identified a new exotic spider mite, Tetranychus piercei, that was detected in Florida. It is closely related to twospotted spider mite (T. urticae) and has a host range of more than 30 plants.

Fla. officials indicated it could become a serious pest if it becomes established.

Plant hosts include the palm family (Palmae), banana (Musa), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), and common and castor bean. Immature stages and adults spin webs that resemble spider webs beginning on the lower parts of a plant and progressing upwards. Adults are dark red and range in length from 1/3-1/2 mm.

thanks darius, i needed that! LOL debi