How does mite stippling differ from insect stippling?

How does mite stippling differ from insect stippling?

• A. Much finer due to smaller mouthparts.
• B. Coarser due to larger mouthparts
• C. Same size stippling
• D. No stippling observed on plant tissue

Answer: (A)

Stippling size reflects the feeding tools of the pest. Mites have very small mouthparts, so when they pierce plant cells, they remove pigment from individual cells, creating many tiny, pinpoint stipples on the leaf surface. Insects with larger mouthparts remove more tissue per feeding, producing a coarser stippling pattern or larger punctures. So mite stippling is much finer than insect stippling. If you see fine stippling, it’s a clue to mites; coarser stippling points toward insects with bigger mouthparts.

Stippling size reflects the feeding tools of the pest. Mites have very small mouthparts, so when they pierce plant cells, they remove pigment from individual cells, creating many tiny, pinpoint stipples on the leaf surface. Insects with larger mouthparts remove more tissue per feeding, producing a coarser stippling pattern or larger punctures. So mite stippling is much finer than insect stippling. If you see fine stippling, it’s a clue to mites; coarser stippling points toward insects with bigger mouthparts.