Environment

Gorse spider mite.
Source: Landcare Research Biocontrol agent:
Gorse spider mite

Scientific name:
Tetranychus lintearius

Target weed:
Gorse
Ulex europaeus

What does the gorse spider mite look like?

Gorse spider mites live in communal webs on gorse bushes. The adults measure 1-2mm in length and are brick red. Both adults and juveniles live in colonies and spin white webs which, from a distance, could be confused with the webs of nursery web spiders.

What about their life cycle?

The females begin egg-laying in spring, the eggs being round and brownish, and laid in clusters close to gorse stems. Juvenile mites are smaller and more orange than the adults. They grow and moult through six stages, characterized by white cast-off skins, before becoming adults. The mites suck out the cell contents of the plant and the foliage appears bleached, turning a pale green colour that eventually turns to brown.

Where are they established?

The gorse spider mite is widespread throughout Northland

When and how are they best harvested for redistribution?

Colonies of mites in their webbing (make sure they are not nursery web spiders) and bleached gorse (pale green) are found all year round. The best time to collect the mites is from October to March, when webbing is more obvious. Release colonies of approximately 1000 mites on to new sites.