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Sixspotted web-spinning spider mite

A list of host plants for Eotetranychus sexmaculatus

(Updated 03-21-16)

The below list represents plants which are documented to host the sixspotted spider web-spinning mite.  The majority of the list below can be found at Australia's farm advisors and it sure has saved me a great deal of time in narrowing down what to look for and where.  I've added plumeria to the list plus others. Now the only question is whether the indoor rubber plant has these too [it probably did and was treated], and if anything else in my yard might host these too, not yet listed [working on it].

Host common name Host Genus species Plant Family In yard? In area?
alders Alnus Birch - Betulacae X
apple Malus domestica Rose - Rosaceae X X
avocado Persea americana Laural - Lauraceae ?*
azalea Rhododendron subgenus Tsutsuji Heather - Ericaceae X X
berryfruit Rubus Rose - Rosaceae X X
blue oak Quercus douglasii Beech - Fagaceae X++ X
California live oak Quercus agrifolia Beech - Fagaceae X++ X
camphor tree Cinnamomum camphora Laural - Lauraceae
downy jasmine Jasminum multiflorum Olive - Oleaceae X ?
false acacia Robinia pseudoacacia Pea - Fabaceae
fig Ficus Fig - Moraceae X
firethorn Pyracantha Rose - Rosaceae
grapefruit Citrus × paradisi Citrus - Rutaceae X X
guava Psidium Myrtle - Myrtaceae
hydrangea Hydrangea Hydrangea - Hydrangeaceae X X
Indian laurel Ficus microcarpa + Ficus retusa Fig - Moraceae
creeping woodsorrel Oxalis corniculata Wood sorrel - Oxalidaceae X X
Japanese cinnamon Cinnamomum pedunculatum Laural - Lauraceae
Japanese honeysuckle Lonicera japonica Honeysuckle - Caprifoliaceae X X
kaki Diospyros kaki Persimmon - Ebenaceae X
kiwi fruit Actinidia deliciosa Kiwi - Actinidiaceae X X
lady palm Rhapis excelsa Palm - Arecaceae
lemon Citrus × limon Citrus - Rutaceae X X
maple Acer Maple - Aceraceae X X
mulberry Morus Fig - Moraceae X X
oak Quercus** Beech - Fagaceae X++ X
oleander Nerium oleander Dogbane - Apocynaceae X++ X
oleaster Olea oleaster + Elaeagnus Olive - Oleaceae X X
orange Citrus × ​sinensis Citrus - Rutaceae X X
Madagascar palm Pachypodium lamerei Dogbane - Apocynaceae +
paulownia Paulownia Paulownia - Paulowniaceae
peach Prunus persica Rose - Rosaceae X X
plum Prunus subgenus Prunus Rose - Rosaceae X X
plumeria Plumeria obtusa, P. rubra + P. x stenopetala  Dogbane - Apocynaceae X X
poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima Euphorbia - Euphorbiaceae
pomello Citrus maxima/grandis Citrus - Rutaceae ?
red camellia Camellia japonica Tea -Theaceae X++ X
rhododendron Rhododendron Heather - Ericaceae ?
rose Rosa Rose - Rosaceae X X
rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis Euphorbia - Euphorbiaceae
strawberry Fragaria × ananassa Rosaceae subfamily Rosoideae X X
toyon Heteromeles arbutifolia Rose - Rosaceae X++ X
variegated Japanese mock orange Pittosporum tobira 'Variegatum' Pittosporum - Pittosporaceae X++ X
violet trumpet vine Clytostoma callistegioides Bignonia - Bignoniaceae X ?
wampee Clausena lansium Citrus - Rutaceae
winegrapes Vitis Grape - Vitaceae X - CA Native X

* Local home improvement stores keep offering Hass for sale here locally and someone must be buying them.  A little far north, but then it is for plumeria too.

** There are several species of Quercus both in my yard and around the area and include blue oak (Quercus douglasii), California black oak hybrids (Quercus kelloggii x ??), California live oak (Quercus agrifolia), and cork oak (Quercus suber - introduced).  In addition to these there is also the Valley oak (Quercus lobata) which can be found at various locations in the foothills at not too high of elevations and in deep soils, especially those in the valley where they are most numerous.  As the documented oak hosts are mentioned from Australia/New Zealand, it is unsure which of the species here in California may host these mites, although at least a few do.  Noted on 01-27-12 and 01-29-12 evidence of these mites on both California live oak (which is evergreen) and upon late season growth which is still on a blue oak (which is deciduous) that is otherwise bare and leafless. 

+ The specimen which I had perished soon after being attacked by the mites which hit the tip and later in the season was hit by stem rot from the base.  Other pachypodium species may be hosts to these mites as Pachypodium geayi appears to suffer from them in a similar manner as does Plumeria obtusa.  Both of these species which host but really don't suffer much damage (some curling) have leathery leaves.  Those with fleshy leaves appear to suffer the most damage.

++ These species that are on my property will be closely monitored as they are only tentatively identified as hosts, showing signs that the mites have been there.