Plant Pathology Eriophyid mites | Eriophyid mites |
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Class: Arachnida Eriophyid mites are very tiny, white or yellowish, worm-like, and spindle-shaped. Their bodies have definite annulations or rings, and only two pairs of legs directly behind the mouthparts. Most trees and shrubs have species that attack them and almost always create predictable damage like galling, etc. On many broadleaved plants, these mites can cause pale green, yellow, orange, or even reddish blisters to appear on the upper leaf surfaces. The mites feed on the lower leaf surfaces, where blisters turn white, yellow, or brownish. Sometimes these blisters can contain masses of enlarged leaf hairs (erineum). The mites overwinter under outer bud scales. They emerge and feed on the leaf surfaces from May to July, before migrating back to the outer bud scales. Highly susceptible plants include maple, mountain ash, fuchsia, walnut, pear, and grape. |
