The red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is a tiny yet highly destructive mite capable of attacking a wide variety of crops.
It gathers in colonies on the underside of leaves, where it forms fine webs that serve as protection. As it feeds, it damages plant cells, causing discoloration, weakening, and—under severe infestations—can lead to leaf drop and even plant death.
It appears mainly in warm and dry environments, making it a very common pest in both greenhouses and open-field crops.
