Is this spider mite webbing?

[Skycat]

I just saw this today on my Phrag while checking my outdoor plants. It was not there two days ago. If you have spider mites, how long does it usually take for the webs to develop, and how damaged would the leaves normally be by that point?



This plant has already lost like half its foliage to sunburn.

[Brooke]

The leaves don't show spider mite damage. Normal spiders can create spider webs over night.

I would go ahead and use a white paper towel on the underside of the leaves and if you find no orange smears, you have a new family of spiders guarding your plants from the nasty bugs.

Brooke

[Skycat]

I tried wiping the leaves with a damp paper towel and it came away mostly clean, but then I tried again later with a cotton ball with alcohol on it, and some of the leaves smeared some pale orange-ish stuff. But there was a bunch of that stuff just on the white tag too, so I dunno if it's the same, or what.

If I'd seen any actual spiders, I wouldn't be so worried, especially because I love spiders. But I didn't see any... I do know baby spiders make webs and then go away in a matter of hours, though; I've seen that happen on a different orchid.

[lepetitmartien]

If it's spidermites, you should be able to see them on the web, eventually with a magnifier.

Usually the mites webs are closer and less evident. They are shortcuts between parts of the plant, not traps.

[NYCorchidman]

Well, it can be, if those tiny particles on the web are moving around, but your picture is rather blurry to be able to tell for sure.

Usually by the you notice this much webbing from red spider mites, your plant would have been damaged big time and you would see millions of tiny thigns moving about (given that you have relatively good eye sight). Also, they do not make webs off the plants usually.
So this is hard to tell case without clear pictures.

The leaf (or leaves) that does come with orange color when wiped, is probably a sign that there are mites.
Unless it was just a few mites, you should be able to see some pitting damage on that leaf.

[Plodde]

Did you ever find out if you had spider mites?

[euplusia]

To me it looks like spider mite webbing. I'd treat it immediately and wouldn't wait until the damage of the plant is fully develloped, as the mites intoxicate the plant.

[Skycat]

Originally Posted by Plodde

Did you ever find out if you had spider mites?

Oh dang, I forgot about this thread.

Well, whatever was going on, the plant's still alive and growing. Two fans have died, though I think that was probably from getting too dry, and there is a new fan growing. Haven't seen any more of the weird webbing.