Tetranychus lintearius

The adult mite is half a millimetre long and bright red. It lives in colonies on Gorse, in a shelter of spun silk spanning many branch tips. Infested plants are easily identifiable by these cobweb-like sheets of silk, which can grow quite large.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the record should indicate that the mite has been recorded from a web on Gorse.  Records for mites recorded away from this habitat are not likely to be accepted.

On Gorse.

Found in most months of the year but peaking in March and April.

The female lays one to four eggs per day during her three- to four-week adult lifespan. The tiny nymph is small enough to disperse on the wind during its first stage. Those that stay behind populate the colony as it expands.

Probably under recorded, there seem to be very few British records.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.