Tetranychus urticae may be brown or orange-red, but a green, greenish-yellow or an almost translucent colour is the most common. The female is about 0.4 mm in length with an elliptical body that bears 12 pairs of dorsal setae. Overwintering females are orange to orange-red. The body contents are often visible through the transparent body wall appearing as large dark spots. Since the spots are accumulation of body wastes, newly moulted mites may lack the spots. The male is elliptical with the caudal end tapering and smaller than the female.

Close up photograph required showing the dark spots if present.

This mite has been reported infesting over 200 species of plants including many ornamental species, it also attacks greenhouse plants.

Prefers the hot, dry weather of the summer and autumn months, but may occur anytime during the year.

A plant-feeding mite generally considered to be a pest. Overwintering females hibernate in ground litter or under the bark of trees or shrubs.

The species seems to be widespread in Britain although it is not well recorded.

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.