Two-Spotted Spider Mites

Two spotted spider mites occasionally cause problems during hot, dry years.

Mites are minute, eight-legged, spider-like animals, about 1/60 inch or less in length.
 
Mites typically live in colonies producing a thin web on lower leaf surfaces. Mite injury causes a speckled appearance to leaves, which become yellow, curl, turn brown, and then plants die.
 
Rain will reduce risk of mite problems. Early season applications of pyrethroid insecticides for insect control have been linked to spider mite outbreaks under some conditions.