What are spider mites?

Spider mites belong to the class Arachnida, a group that also includes spiders, ticks and other eight-legged creatures. Spider mites are a common enemy of gardeners and plant enthusiasts, as they frequently do serious damage to plants. There are several species of spider mites, each favoring different types of plants.

Spider mites vary in color, but all are small in size. Like their cousins, the spiders, many kinds of spider mites produce a type of webbing. As with many other arachnids, spider mites lay eggs, which some species protect by means of the webbing they produce. Creatures that prey upon spider mites include lady beetles, small pirate bugs and predatory thrips.