Seasonal development
and life cycle—European red mite
European red mites overwinter as eggs. Look for overwintering eggs in roughened bark at bases of buds
and spurs on smaller branches and twigs or in wounds. They are globular and red with a slender stalk rising
from the top center and many grooves extending from top to bottom. During the growing season, eggs are
laid on leaves. Overwintering eggs are laid as early as August and, depending upon weather, as late as
October and November.
Eggs hatch when trees bloom, and immature mites migrate to leaves and feed on young foliage. Early in
the season, European red mites are mostly found on the undersurface of leaves. There are three instars
before the adult stage.
Depending on temperature, European red mites can have five to ten generations per year. Low temperatures
in spring can keep high populations from developing. | 
Eggs
of the European red mite |
