Mites as an Ecological Sustainability Indicator in Orchards
Predatory Mites
Phytoseiidae
 |
Adult |
Family |
Phytoseiidae |
Size |
Larger then spider mites |
Appearance |
White to pinkish |
Location on Tree |
Underside of leaves, or spurs in the innermost portions of the tree |
Egg Appearance |
White, oval eggs that resemble chicken eggs |
Egg Location |
Eggs usually laid near leaf midrib or leaf trichomes |
Mobility |
Can move rapidly |
Niche |
Predatory |
Neoseiulus spp.
 |
Eggs |
Family |
Phytoseiidae |
Species |
Neoseiulus spp. |
Size |
Larger than spider mites |
Appearance |
Pinkish to red and round. Has long, stout bristles on the dorsum. Pear-shaped body. Adults are often white until they feed. |
Description of Stages |
Has nymph, protonymph, and deuteronymph stages, which are similar to adults, but smaller. |
Location on Tree< |
Generally found on the underside of the leaf. |
Egg Appearance |
White, oval eggs that resemble chicken eggs |
Egg Location |
Similar to other phytoseiids. |
Mobility |
Move rapidly |
Niche |
Predatory |
Cheyletidae
 |
Adult under microscope |
Family |
Cheyletidae |
Common Name |
Snout mites |
Size |
Large |
Appearance |
Soft-bodied. Light, red/orange color with long legs. Plump, oval bodies. |
Location on Tree |
Underside of leaves |
Niche |
Predatory |
Erythraeidae
 |
Adult |
Family |
Erythraeidae |
Size |
Large |
Appearance |
Soft-bodied and reddish brown. Oval bodies are arched and generally very hairy. |
Location on Trees |
If not found on leaves, then likely on soil beneath tree, due to the mite's inability to hold on to leaves. |
Mobility |
Fast-moving |
Niche |
Predatory |
Stigmaeidae
 |
 |
 |
Agistemus fleschneri Adult |
Zetzellia mali Egg |
Zetzellia mali Adult |
Family |
Stigmaeidae |
Size |
Smaller than spider mites |
Appearance |
Yellow bodies with reddish orange spots. Body is a general oval shape. |
Location on Tree |
Lower surface of leaf |
Egg Appearance |
Round, lemon yellow eggs |
Egg Location |
Near midrib of leaf on lower surface |
Mobility |
Slow moving |
Niche |
Predatory |
Species |
Microscopy |
Agistemus fleschneri |
Under microscope, there is a honeycomb pattern visible on the posterior half of the dorsum. |
Zetzellia mali |
There is no honeycomb pattern visible. |