mites
n. plural-onlyn. tiny animals that look like spiders and live in dust, on plants, or on other animals. Most are so small that you cannot see them without a microscope.
n. minute arachnids belonging to the subclass Acari, often parasitic or living in soil and organic debris. Many species are microscopic and can cause allergic reactions or skin irritation in humans and animals.
Dust mites live in almost every home.
The gardener noticed that the leaves were turning yellow because of a heavy infestation of spider mites.
While most soil-dwelling mites are beneficial decomposers that break down organic matter, certain parasitic species can transmit diseases to livestock or cause significant damage to commercial crops.
Usually appears in the plural form when referring to the general population of these organisms.