An extremely small insect (1/50th of an inch) that spend most of their time on the lower surface of the leaf. As the numbers increase they will form fine webs on and between the leaves. The webs and chlorotic, stippled appearance on the leaves are signs the plant is infected. As the mites feed on the underside of leaves, they remove leaf cell contents, including the chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a green pigment that gives the leaves their color. Without the chlorophyll, these empty cells appear whitish or bronze. Large populations can defoliate and kill plants. Bumping or shaking an infested plant will result in many leaves dropping off.

The female lays 19 eggs per day up to 120 total. Eggs are laid on the webbing on the underside of the leaf. Repeated applications of insecticidal soap or a dormant oil spray are good nonpoisonous control methods.