This report focuses on the review of all the previous pest risk assessments conducted by the department on species of Tetranychidae. Members of Tetranychidae are commonly referred to as spider mites or tetranychids, which are used interchangeably in this report.

The department has reviewed the biological characteristics of spider mites, particularly those previously assessed by the department, and confirms that they share a number of common biological characteristics relevant to biosecurity risk. On the basis of this, it could be expected that they would have similar likelihoods of entry, establishment and spread in Australia, and also to cause comparable consequences. (...).

The review includes information on the taxonomy and biology of Tetranychidae, and examination and evaluation of the previous likelihood and consequence assessments against scientific information. Australian interception data of spider mites on imported fresh fruit for human consumption are also presented and analysed against the previous assessments of likelihood of importation.

To date (August 2023), 21 species of Tetranychidae in 6 genera: Amphitetranychus (1 species), Eotetranychus (3 species), Eutetranychus (1 species), Oligonychus (6 species), Panonychus (1 species) and Tetranychus (9 species) have been assessed by the department in 21 finalised PRAs. All of these 21 PRAs were conducted on fresh fruit commodities for human consumption (Table B.1 in Appendix B and Table C.2 in Appendix C). One of the 21 assessed species is no longer a quarantine pest for Australia

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