Spider Mites … or Spiders?

Nonagronomist

Nonagronomist

Well-Known Member
I've been noticing little strands of webs on my plants (8 in a small grow area, all in 5-gal pots) and feared I had spider mites. However, it might be that I just have spiders. The grow area is surrounded by decorative vegetation and herbs, including one large Rosemary bush called "Spiderholme" because of its large arachnid population. I've seen lots of spiderlings ballooning, as well as small spiders on the plants themselves. (And ladybugs and a couple of beetle-predators.)

What I haven't found are any spider mites or spider mite eggs. I've looked microscopically at the underside of the leaves, and I just can't spot anything. I can get slightly better magnification than the below, if it's a size thing.

Are spider mites smaller than an average trichome?

Other thoughts?

web_query.jpg
 
loftygoals

loftygoals

Well-Known Member
Doesn't look like typical spider mite webs. You've search for spider mites and found none.

As you say the plant is in a spidery garden... most likely explanation is that it's just spiders. Probably worth checking regularly just in case.
 
AlaskaD

AlaskaD

Active Member
If there aren't any white dots on leaf tops from being bitten underneath, especially on the lower leaves, then no: you've got spiders. I intentionally move tons of spiders into my greenhouse because they will do serious damage to any pest populations, and baby spiders will 100% for sure prey on spider mites, with the possible exception of orb weaving spiders. If you've got natural spider infestations on your plants, be thankful- they'll save you time, money, and heartache.
 
Smidge34

Smidge34

Well-Known Member
Looks like regular spider webs to me man. When you see the telltale yellow/white spots on your leaves that look like spray paint overspray, you'll know. You will see the spots before they start the webbing. You can see the little bastards with a magnifier too. Hell I can see them with my eyes.
image.jpeg
 
SPLFreak808

SPLFreak808

Well-Known Member
Nonagronomist said:
I've been noticing little strands of webs on my plants (8 in a small grow area, all in 5-gal pots) and feared I had spider mites. However, it might be that I just have spiders. The grow area is surrounded by decorative vegetation and herbs, including one large Rosemary bush called "Spiderholme" because of its large arachnid population. I've seen lots of spiderlings ballooning, as well as small spiders on the plants themselves. (And ladybugs and a couple of beetle-predators.)

What I haven't found are any spider mites or spider mite eggs. I've looked microscopically at the underside of the leaves, and I just can't spot anything. I can get slightly better magnification than the below, if it's a size thing.

Are spider mites smaller than an average trichome?

Other thoughts?

View attachment 3715476
Click to expand...
Take a 60+ x scope, look at the webs and follow them, if its mites you will see them on the web. The same thing happened to me in january, i noticed 2 very thin small webs from my top cola to the nearest sugar leaf and i freaked the fuck out! However, no damage, no mites just a tiny brown 1/4th inch spider that i eventually found dead stuck to the trichomes.
 
Nonagronomist

Nonagronomist

Well-Known Member
Thanks to all. I did take another look with higher magnification, and I'm pretty sure it was spiders. However, on my closer inspection, I discovered that [expletive deleted] CATERPILLARS had taken up residence in three buds and were merrily chewing and shitting the buds into uselessness.

So I harvested the whole thing right then. I had to throw away about 50% of three middling buds, so the loss wasn't total.

Glad I was looking for spider mites!
 
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