It is used as an agent of biological pest control on common gorse, a noxious weed in some countries.

It lives in colonies in a shelter of spun silk spanning many branch tips.

Infested plants are easily identifiable by these cobweb-like sheets of silk, which can grow quite large.

The female lays one to four eggs per day during her three- to four-week adult lifespan.

Heavy mite activity reduces flowering and can stunt the development of the branches.