Stippling: Pin-Prick Yellow or White Dots
As spider mites feed, they pierce individual plant cells and suck out chlorophyll, leaving behind tiny, pale dots. This stippling is especially prominent on dark-green leaves like those of eggplant (Solanum melongena, native to India and Southeast Asia). Initially subtle, these dots gradually coalesce into larger bleached patches if left unchecked.
Noticing stippling early can save your leafy greens from a slow decline. I once spotted the first pin-prick dots on my lettuce bed and intervened immediately, preventing what could have been a total crop loss. When you see stippling, inspect the foliage closely—and be prepared to act fast!