Redlegged Earth Mite

Redlegged earth mite (RLEM) is a sap-sucking pest of crops and pastures. Canola and peas are particularly susceptible. They often co-exist with blue oat mites. Adults are 1 millimetre (mm) long with a black body and eight red-orange legs. Newly hatched mites are 0.2 mm long with a pinkish-orange body and 6 legs. Feeding causes a silver or white discolouration of leaves and distortion. If damage is severe plants shrivel and die.