Clover mite

Description

Clover mites are oval-shaped arachnids, 0.75 - long, with a pair of long legs pointing forward often mistaken for antennae. They are reddish brown; the younger ones and the eggs are a bright red. They are extremely common in late spring in North America. They possess piercing-sucking mouthparts, used to consume plant sap.

Ecology

Clover mites are polyphagous, feeding on a wide range of plants, including "lawn grasses, ornamental flowers, clover, dandelion, shepherd's purse, strawberry, daffodil, Salvia, Alyssum, and primrose". They are especially numerous in lawns with a heavy growth of succulent, well-fertilized grass. They do not cause any apparent harm to turf grass, but their feeding activity can turn the grass a silvery color and may stipple plants when heavy populations are present.

Clover mites reproduce parthenogeneticallytheir eggs do not need to be fertilized and are entirely female. Females lay about 70 eggs each. Clover mites undergo a six-legged larval stage and two eight-legged nymph stages before maturity.

Clover mites generally enter houses close to thick vegetation and can infiltrate houses in very large numbers through cracks and small openings around windows and doors, and are occasionally considered pests. Whether indoors or outside, clover mites are found more commonly in sunny areas than in darker areas. If "squished", they leave a characteristic red stain caused by their pigmentation.

Clover mites are not harmful to humans, pets, or furniture.

References

References

1. (October 9, 2008). "Species ''Bryobia praetiosa'' Koch, 1835". [[Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts]].
2. (September 2008). "Clover Mite ''Bryobia praetiosa'' Koch". [[Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences]], [[University of Florida]].
3. Vallie, Sarah. "Clover Mites: What to Know".
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