large red mites?

faker

Mame
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San Francisco, CA
USDA Zone
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This year I've seen tons of these large red mites on my trees, and I just wanted to come here and seek out some piece of mind. From what I could research on here, I'm hoping that they are beneficial predator mites but it seems like they could also be a clover mite? Anyone more experienced care to weigh in? I have neem at the ready, but I'm holding off until someone tells me to pull the trigger.

Characteristics
- Easily visible to the human eye
- Fast, frequently moving
- Red goop when crushed
- No associated webs
- Plant health does not appear to be affected
- Picture attached:
 

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PA_Penjing

Chumono
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Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
USDA Zone
6b
I have them on everything, especially my cedar fence 🤷‍♂️. they seem like good guys to me, never hurt a tree to my knowledge
 

Carol 83

Flower Girl
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Some of the leaves look kind of misshapen, do they normally look like that?
 

faker

Mame
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San Francisco, CA
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Some of the leaves look kind of misshapen, do they normally look like that?
there are a few wonky ones on that styrax but 95% look fine. I've heard they can put out weird leaves when they dry out, and it was dug this year, so I think a few of the early leaves became misshapen while it was getting its roots reestablished.
 

Carol 83

Flower Girl
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there are a few wonky ones on that styrax but 95% look fine. I've heard they can put out weird leaves when they dry out, and it was dug this year, so I think a few of the early leaves became misshapen while it was getting its roots reestablished.
Just asking because I had a bougie develop wrinkly, deformed leaves and it was pest related.
 
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