Apricot-pest
Guides
Acalitus phloeocoptes
Apricot bud gall mite, Plum bud gall mite, Almond and plum bud gall mite
Acalitus phloeocoptes is a destructive eriophyoid mite pest that causes bud gall formation on Prunus species, particularly apricot (Prunus armeniaca). The mite manipulates host plant hormones to induce gall development: cytokinin (zeatin) and auxin (IAA) drive rapid bud proliferation, abscisic acid (ABA) controls gall maturity, and reduced gibberellic acid (GA3) triggers lignification. Infestation results in delayed flowering, deformed foliage, poor fruit quality, stunted growth, and potential tree death. The species has four generations annually in studied populations, with overwintering occurring as adult females in galls, bark crevices, branches, and soil up to 3 cm deep.