spider mite

American  

noun

1. any of numerous, variously colored web-spinning mites of the family Tetranychidae, many of which are pests of garden plants and fruit trees.

---

spider mite British  

noun

1. any of various plant-feeding mites of the family Tetranychidae, esp Panonychus ulmi ( red spider mite ), which is a serious orchard pest

---

Etymology

Origin of spider mite

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Coincidentally, the closure of stomata also obstructs the preferred entry points for nutrient-sucking pests like spider mites.

From Science Daily

Oddly enough, when I try to grow it as a houseplant, it always succumbs to red spider mites.

From Seattle Times

Other invertebrates, including slugs, snails and spider mites, may feast on milkweeds, too, as do some larger animals, like rabbits and ground squirrels, which are apparently resistant to poisoning.

From Seattle Times

Pinching also helps stave off common ills like spider mites; "if you allow it to grow into a tall, skinny tree like it wants, it's more susceptible to disease," she adds.

From Salon

After doing beautifully for the first two months, they were attacked by spider mites during the heat wave and the plant never really recovered.

From Seattle Times