Mites & spiders

Mites

Mites are minute (usually less than 1mm) arachnids with eight legs when adults. They are often pests of animals and plants, infest stored food products and in some cases transmit diseases.

Mites are a risk for Western Australian primary producers as they impact upon market access and agricultural production.

WA is free from some of the world's major agricultural mite pests. Biosecurity and management measures on your property are vital in preventing the spread of mites.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides:

biosecurity/quarantine measures at the WA border to prevent the entry of mites
advice on widespread mites present in the state.

For advice on mites search our website, the Western Australian Organism List or contact our Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS).

For diagnostic services, please contact our Diagnostic Laboratory Services.

Spiders

Spiders are eight legged arachnids. They are not agricultural pests and do not spread disease or damage crops or food products. Spiders can play a beneficial role by feeding on pest insects. There are hundreds of species of spiders in Australia, with very few spiders that are potentially harmful.

Contact the Western Australian Museum for further information on spiders or Poisons Information on 13 11 26 for treatment of severe bites.

Articles

Varroa mite: Biosecurity alert

5 January 2015

Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is an external parasite of honey bees and are considered the greatest threat to Australia's honey and honey bee pollination plant industries.
DDLS - Entomology services

7 November 2018

DDLS - Entomology services provides expertise in invertebrate identification as well as helping to facilitate domestic and international trade and assists in protecting the biosecurity of Western A
Spider mite pests of Western Australian plants

9 October 2013

Mites of the Tetranychidae family (commonly known as spider mites) include some important pests of economic concern to agriculture and forestry.
Prevent redlegged earth mite resistance

25 June 2013

Redlegged earth mites (RLEM) that are resistant to commonly applied insecticides including synthetic pyrethroids (Group 3A), and organophosphates (Group 1B) were first found in Western Australia.
Two-spotted mite: potato pest in Indonesia and Western Australia

14 November 2013

Two-spotted mite is a minor pest of potatoes in both Indonesia and Western Australia.
Six-spotted mite - a pest of avocados and grapevines

18 March 2014

Six-spotted mite can defoliate avocado trees and grapevines in the lower south-west of Western Australia.
Diagnosing redlegged earth mite

4 December 2013

Redlegged earth mite (RLEM) is a sap-sucking pest of crops and pastures. Canola and peas are particularly susceptible. They often co-exist with blue oat mites.
Controlling red legged earth mites using intensive spring grazing

29 November 2021

Maintaining feed-on-offer at around 2 t DM/ha for four weeks around the Timerite® date in spring can effectively control RLEM in the following growing season.
Management of European red mite in Western Australia

30 January 2014

European red mite feeds on leaves of fruit trees especially apples. This can result in premature leaf fall which affects fruit tree vigour and fruit quality.
Managing mites in WA deciduous fruit trees

17 March 2014

Mites are one of the most consistent pests in deciduous fruit tree orchards in Western Australia. Over-reliance on miticides for control has led to pesticide resistance in some species.