Glossary

Spider mites are small plant-feeding arachnids rather than insects. On mango foliage, feeding can cause stippling, bronzing, or declining leaf quality, sometimes with fine webbing when populations are high. Dust, plant stress, and disruption of natural enemies can affect outbreaks. Inspect leaf undersides with magnification if possible and distinguish pest mites from predatory mites. A pale or dry-looking leaf is not enough for diagnosis, and routine broad insecticide use can sometimes worsen mite problems by removing beneficial predators.