Pest profile

Southern Red Mite

Oligonychus ilicis · Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae[3]

The southern red mite is a cool-season spider mite of broad-leaved evergreens, especially azaleas and camellias, whose feeding grays and stipples the leaves.[1]

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

How to identify it

  • Adults are tiny, about 1/50 inch long, reddish brown and darker than most red spider mites.[1]
  • Look under leaves with a 10x to 15x lens for mites, cast skins and webbing, or tap foliage over white paper and watch for moving mites.[1]
  • It overwinters as red eggs on the undersides of leaves.[1]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Other spider mitesSouthern red mites are reddish brown and darker than most red spider mites, and they peak in cool, humid weather.[1]

Where it lives

In the US it has been found from Massachusetts and New York to Florida, Louisiana and California, and is probably widespread on broad-leaved evergreens in the East.[1]

Biology and life cycle

There are many generations a year, with populations highest in cool, humid spring and fall weather and peaking in mild, humid winters.[1]

It attacks the lower leaf surface first, then spreads to upper surfaces and young stems as numbers grow.[1]

Besides azaleas and camellias, it's found year-round on elaeagnus and on shaded or stressed pyracantha.[1]

Damage and signs

  • Feeding causes graying, stippling, 'firing' and leaf drop, and leaves infested while expanding can be distorted.[1]

Health risk

It feeds on plants; UF/IFAS mentions no risk to people.[1]

Control

Prevention

Check leaf undersides with a hand lens, or strike foliage over white paper, to catch infestations early.[1]

Biological control

Predatory phytoseiid mites feed on it, preferring its young larvae.[1]

More from NC State Extension

Like the spruce spider mite, it is a cool-season mite, feeding in spring and fall and lying dormant in hot summer months; cherry laurel is a reliable host, and plants that had mites last year are likely to have them again.[2]

Common questions

Why are my azalea leaves gray and speckled?
Southern red mites feeding on the undersides cause graying and stippling, especially in cool, humid weather.[1]
When are southern red mites worst?
In cool, humid periods of spring and fall, and in mild, humid winters.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Southern Red Mite, Oligonychus ilicis (EENY-376).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN680 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. NC State Extension, “Southern Red Mites Active on Ornamentals - Entomology.” entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/news/southern-red-mites-active-on-ornamentals/ (accessed 2026-10-15)
  3. iNaturalist, “Oligonychus ilicis taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/825269 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-15. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.