Spider Mite on Juniper?

[jasonpg]

All,

Can you take a peek at the attached photo? I did the paper test with two of my junipers that seem to be losing a bit of color and I found several of these guys. Is this a spider mite? What is the treatment plan?

Thanks!

 

[Martin Sweeney]

Jason,

Unless magnified, those are probably not spider mites. The paper test requires 1 more step. The smear. Put the paper on a flat surface after shaking the branch over it and rub your hand on it from top to bottom in 1 smooth stroke. You should see little or nothing on the paper until you smear and then little smear lines after you smear. The smears were spider mites.

Regards,
Martin

 

[ABCarve]

The big one looks like a tick!

 

[jasonpg]

Smear results.

 

[jasonpg]

And also ... Ugh. Is this black spot on my elm?

 

[Dav4]

Smear results.

That does appear to be a positive smear test! Just to be sure, were the "smeared" items almost too small to see with the naked eye, but moving?

 

[jasonpg]

Just to be sure, were the "smeared" items almost too small to see with the naked eye, but moving?

Correct. Very tiny.