Why the mite is green: how the color of the pest gives out its diet
Science knows 54 species of ticks that can transmit diseases through the bite of a person, animal, and plant. Among the numerous varieties, there are green, or spider mites, dangerous for garden and house plants. The tick settles on the leaves of plants and drinks their juice.
Content
What determines the color of the body of ticks
The color of the body of the tick depends on the habitat conditions, the type of tick and the type of food. A young individual of a spider mite has a greenish color, as it matures, the color changes to yellow. The color of the pest determines the stage of its development.
Development and reproduction
During the period of her life, the female lays more than 1000 eggs. The masonry is attached to the lower part of the face, which makes it difficult to detect it in time. For protection, the eggs are covered with cobwebs.
Life cycle of ticks.
Three stages of green mite development:
- Larva.
- Nymph.
- An adult.
The larva has a light color, feeds on plant sap and develops rapidly. An interesting fact is that the larva has only 4 legs, 4 appeared at the next stage of development - the nymph. The last stage of the life cycle of arthropods: the pest takes on the shape and size of a sexually mature individual, the main goal is food. After 10-20 days, the larva turns into an adult capable of reproduction.
Habitat
The pest settles on the bottom of the leaf. Nutrition is carried out by puncturing and entering the plant cell. The tissues soften from the release of a special substance by the tick, juice is formed, which the pest feeds on.
The main types of green mites
The appearance of the tick can be deceptive, forest or taiga tick, in appearance it looks like a spider. In a hungry state, they show a green, yellowish or even gray color. It is possible to distinguish them from each other only by the structure of the proboscis, but this can only be seen through a magnifying glass. The bite of the taiga and forest is fatal to humans and animals.
What plants are most commonly affected by the parasite?
Ticks like to settle on fruit trees - for example, like apple trees, cherries or mountain ash, garden crops - beans, cucumbers, beets, eggplants, etc., as well as on azaleas and spray roses.
For humans and animals, the green tick does not pose a direct threat, but carries other bacteria and microorganisms.
Pest control methods
If a green mite is found on parts of the plant, it is necessary to take action as soon as possible. Ticks quickly spread throughout the plant, the integrity of leaves and shoots is violated, internal processes collapse - growth and development decrease, and the plant dies in a neglected state.
Folk remedies
There are folk remedies for pest control. This option is suitable for the first measures to combat spider mites. Without resorting to chemistry, plants can be treated with the following means.
| Soap solution | A solution based on laundry soap or dishwashing detergent is suitable. |
| Маргацовка | Repels pests and prevents laying eggs on the leaves. |
| Tobacco dust | The broth is made in advance from the finished mixture purchased in the store, you can add laundry soap. |
Biopreparations
For emergency measures, you can use biological products that are safe and effective.
Chemicals
For the complete destruction of mites in home or garden crops, chemicals are used - insecticides.
Prevention of plant damage by green mites
As a preventive measure against green mites, it is necessary to maintain the cleanliness and high humidity of the room. Monitor temperature. Provide the plant with the necessary watering, preventing rotting, and feed the soil with useful fertilizers during the time. High immunity of plants will give them the ability to resist parasites and not get infected.
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