Answer :
Final answer:
The two-spotted spider mite causes 'stippling' on leaves, loss of plant color, webbing, and may lead to leaves falling off. They produce distinctive white or yellow spots and brown specks on fruit from their destructive feeding. Identification often requires magnification due to their small size.
Explanation:
The two-spotted spider mite, also known as Tetranychus urticae, primarily causes damage to plant leaves that is characterized by a pattern known as 'stippling'. These extremely small arthropods feed on the plant cells, which results in leaves losing their color, appearing off-color with tiny white or yellow spots, and in severe cases, leading to loss of leaves. Additionally, when populations of spider mites are large, they produce fine, silken webbing on the plants that can collect dust and give the leaves a dirty appearance.
Spotting or stippling is a form of damage that occurs when spider mites inject enzymes that destroy chlorophyll in localized areas, preventing the diffusion of the toxin and therefore causing little yellow or white spots. Over time, if the infestation is severe enough, the leaves of the plant can become bronzed and fall off. Other symptoms of spider mite damage include tiny, brown specks on fruit that can cause distortion, and brown spots on leaves. While spider mites resemble tiny spiders and lack antennae, the damage they cause is often more noticeable than the mites themselves, which usually require at least a 10X magnification lens to be seen clearly.
