The two-spotted spider mite produces which symptom on leaves?

• A. Necrosis
• B. Leaf curling
• C. Stippling of leaves
• D. Chlorosis

Answer: (C)

Two-spotted spider mites feed by piercing individual leaf cells and sucking out their contents, which damages the cells and creates a speckled appearance on the leaf surface. This results in tiny light or silvery spots, known as stippling, that give the leaf a mottled look. Stippling is the classic early symptom of mite feeding. As feeding continues, leaves may bronze or yellow and curl, and severe infestations can lead to necrosis or leaf drop, but the characteristic sign researchers and growers look for is stippling. Chlorosis describes overall yellowing from chlorophyll loss, and necrosis is dead tissue, while leaf curling can occur for other reasons; stippling uniquely points to spider mite activity.