As fall approaches, the eggs of spruce spidermite and its relatives that have been sitting dormant all summer begin to hatch. Active mites are likely to be found on spruces, pines, junipers, and other needled evergreens in the fall. These mites typically cause more damage in the spring, resulting in tiny, light-colored spots (stippling) that eventually turn brownish. From a distance, foliage appears to be bronze to gray in color. As summer approaches, these mites lay eggs that lie dormant over the summer, and no active mites are found on the trees. This late-spring cessation of feeding typically occurs at about shoot elongation and candle formation, so new growth does not show injury. Mites at this time of year feed on both first-year and previous years’ needles, resulting in the same type of damage as that caused by spring-feeding populations.