Oligonychus ilicis
| Oligonychus ilicis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Trombidiformes |
| Family: | Tetranychidae |
| Genus: | Oligonychus |
| Species: | O. ilicis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Oligonychus ilicis McGregor, 1916
| |
Oligonychus ilicis, the southern red mite, is a species of mite found in the family Tetranychidae. It is a pest found throughout the world, targeting heather and holly.
Description
Eggs are found on the underside of leaves. Eggs in the summer are darker than eggs in the winter.[1]
Larvae are slightly larger than eggs and have six legs,[2] unlike the adults which have eight.[3]
Adults are around 0.5 millimeters (0.020 in) in length.[3] They are red or brown in coloration, darker than other species of spider mite.[1] Their bodies are ovular-shaped.[4]
The mites leave stippling or bronzing on leaves of plants.[1]
Life history
Oligonychus ilicis goes through several generations in a year.[3] The species targets broad-leaved evergreens, particularly of the families Ericaceae and Aquifoliaceae.[1]
There are two nymph stages with the succeeding stage darker and larger than the proceeding.[5]
Population densities are highest in autumn and spring.[1] In the summer, the mites undergo aestivation.[1]
Distribution
The species is known from Brazil, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Paraguay, and United States.[1]
Discovery
The species was described from a specimen found on an American holly in Batesburg, South Carolina.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Oligonychus ilicis". Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment. University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
- ^ "Southern Red Mite and Spruce Spider Mite". NC State Extension Publications. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Southern Red Mite (Oligonychus ilicis)". Landscape Pest Management. University of Georgia. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
- ^ "Oligonychus ilicis". Nursery Magazine. May 6, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- ^ Quinn, Erin O. (April 8, 2025). "Southern Red Mite". Nursery IPM. Rutgers University. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
- ^ "The Southern Red Mite, Oligonychus Ilicis (McGregor)". FSCA. Retrieved April 23, 2026.