The European Red Mite (Panonychus ulmi) is a member of the spider mite family Tetranychidae.

European Red Mite is a pest of pome fruit (apples and pears) and is also active in citrus, plums, vineyards, and some ornamentals.

European Red Mite eggs have a unique appearance compared to other mite eggs. They are red, onion-shaped with a thin, spine-like structure extending from it. The adult female mite is a dark red to maroon colour, with four distinct rows of white spots on her back.

The European Red Mite overwinters as eggs on tree bark and in the forks of branches, then hatch in spring to feed on the new flowers and leaves. They can easily spread to the rest of the property on equipment, workers’ clothes or even on birds. At high infestation levels, European Red Mite produces a silken thread which enables it to be spread by the wind in a process called ballooning.