Spider mites will be found in spruce, pine, honey locust, elm, linden, and other conifer and hardwood trees and shrubs. These tiny arthropods are less than 1 mm long and vary in color from yellow to red to green.
Mites live over winter as eggs on the tree. There are many generations per year. Mites feed on sap and spin a fine silk webbing among needles (leaves). The damaged leaves become stippled, bleached, and brown, and may fall off. Severely infested trees are less vigorous and occasionally die.