Spruce Spider Mite: Oligonychus ununguis

Acari: Tetranychidae

Identification
• Tiny, 8-legged animals barely visible to the naked eye.
• Sharply striking branches over white paper will knock some onto the paper where they can be seen easily.

Damage
• Attacked leaves will be stippled with white specks that turn brown. Damaged leaves usually appear dusty or bronzish; they may turn brown and drop from the plant.
• Two-spotted spider mites and close relatives attack  cotoneaster, maple, oak, honey-locust, and other broad-leaved evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs.
• Spruce spider mites and close relatives attack spruce, pine, arborvitae, juniper, and other needled evergreens.

Management
• Mites are normally controlled by natural enemies. Insecticide spraying kills the natural enemies, making damaging infestations more likely.
• Insecticidal soap, summer oil, and other miticides are effective in summer for two-spotted mite and relatives and in spring and fall for spruce spider mite and kin.