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Citrus Red Mite

Panonychus citri[3]

The citrus red mite is a tiny red spider mite that feeds on citrus leaves, twigs and fruit, and on some ornamentals.[1][2]

Group
Insect
Order
Trombidiformes
Family
Tetranychidae
Sources
3 cited
Updated
2026-10-16

No licensed photo of this species is available yet; the identification notes below describe what to look for.

On this page
  1. Identification
  2. Look-alikes
  3. Where it lives
  4. Biology
  5. Damage and signs
  6. Health risk
  7. Control
  8. Related profiles
  9. Common questions
  10. Sources

How to identify it

  • Females are plump, dark red to purplish and about 0.4 to 0.5 mm long; males are smaller, lighter and taper to the rear.[1][2]
  • The body hairs are white and rise from red bumps.[1][2]
  • Eggs are round, red to pale, and have a crooked stalk sticking up from the top.[1][2]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
European red miteLooks very similar, but its hairs rise from white bumps; on citrus red mite the bumps are red.[1]
Spider mitesThe citrus red mite is a spider mite of the same family.[2]

Where it lives

Worldwide in citrus-growing areas; a serious pest in California and also found in Florida and Alabama.[1][2]

Biology and life cycle

Females lay about 17 to 37 eggs (UF/IFAS) or 20 to 30 (NC State), two or three a day.[1][2]

In warm weather the life cycle can take only about three weeks; extreme heat and very dry air make populations drop in summer.[1][2]

Mites spread on the wind by floating on silk threads.[1]

Damage and signs

  • Feeding causes silvery stippling of leaves; immature fruit turns pale and ripe oranges and lemons get straw-yellow marks.[1][2]
  • Heavy infestations can cause leaf drop, fruit drop and twig dieback.[1][2]
  • It can move indoors in fall and spring onto citrus kept on porches and in sunrooms; other hosts include rose, pear and Skimmia.[2]

Health risk

None to people or pets.[1][2]

Control

Biological control

Predatory mites, insects and fungi attack citrus red mites.[1]

Pesticides

For home citrus, NC State says horticultural oils, plant-shine oils or insecticidal soaps used as labeled should give adequate control.[2]

Common questions

Why are my lemon tree's leaves silvery?
Citrus red mites sucking out leaf cells cause silvery stippling.[1][2]
Can mites get on my indoor citrus?
Yes; NC State notes citrus red mites can infest citrus kept on porches and sunrooms.[2]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (EDIS, Featured Creatures), “The Citrus Red Mite (Panonychus citri): A Pest of Citrus Crops (ENY-2081).” ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1367 (accessed 2026-10-16)
  2. NC State Extension, “Citrus Red Mite (PDIC Factsheet).” content.ces.ncsu.edu/citrus-red-mite (accessed 2026-10-16)
  3. iNaturalist, “Panonychus citri taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/263176 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-16. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.