Damage and Control Measures of Common Spider Mites on Solanaceous Vegetables
I. Symptoms of Spider Mite Damage
The spider mite mainly damages eggplants, peppers, and melons. Adult mites, nymphs, and larvae mainly gather on the undersides of leaves to suck sap. In the early stage, sporadic spots of green color loss appear on the leaf surface, gradually turning gray-white. When the damage is severe, the leaves become scorched, resembling a burnt appearance, causing early leaf drop and premature plant aging. The mites can also damage fruits, resulting in grayish, rough fruit skins that become shriveled, reducing fruit quality. Affected plants have a shortened fruiting period, significantly impacting yield and quality.