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Spruce Spider Mite
- The spider mite that infests conifers -
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Summary: Conifers have their very own spider mite pest called spruce spider mite. This spider mite differs from most others by passing the winter in the egg stage. These eggs can be scouted and controlled in late winter.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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 Spruce spider mite (Oligonychus ununguis) occurs on all conifers, plants with evergreen needles and cones like pine, spruce, and fir, and is the spider mite most likely to cause damage on landscape conifers like arbovitae. See Spider Mite Pests for a general description of how spider mites damage plants and options for control.
Spruce spider mite eggs are key to control
Unlike most other spider mites, spruce spider mite passes the winter months in the egg stage, other spider mites spend the winter as adults. This is important information for gardeners because it means that spruce spider mites can be monitored and controlled during the winter by targeting mite eggs.
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Spruce spider mite damage on Douglas-fir needles. Damage is often called "stippling".
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Predator mites (Phytoseiidae) play an extremely important role in the management of spruce spider mite. These mites are highly effective egg predators and in fact outbreaks of the spruce spider mite often follow applications of pesticides that disrupt the predator mite population.
Overhead watering and insecticidal soap are very effective, low toxicity treatments for spruce spider mites during the growing season (see Using Insecticidal Soap) and soap won't disrupt predator mites. During late winter eggs that are laid on needles and stems can be controlled with horticultural oils.
Certain synthetic pesticides like carbaryl are known to be particularly harmful to predator mite populations and use of these materials can often guarantee an outbreak. Use pesticides carefully and always monitor for spider mite buildup following applications especially in susceptable plants.
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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information for solving common insect and mite problems around your home, business and landscape using least-toxic methods.
Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.
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