Eriophyid-mite
Guides
Acalitus ferrugineum
beech erineum mite
Acalitus ferrugineum is a microscopic eriophyid mite that induces erineum galls on the leaves of American beech (Fagus grandifolia). The galls appear as pale to light yellow patches that progress to reddish-brown later in the season. The species is known from the United States and Canada and has been documented in over 4,000 observations.
Aceria baccharices
Mule Fat Blister Mite, mulefat leaf-blister mite
Aceria baccharices is an eriophyid mite species native to North America that induces distinctive leaf galls on two host plants in the genus Baccharis. First described by Hartford H. Keifer in 1945, this microscopic arachnid creates warty, protruding galls on leaf surfaces that serve as protected nurseries for developing mite populations. The species exhibits strong host specificity, with populations in northern California associated primarily with Baccharis salicifolia and southern populations utilizing Baccharis glutinosa. Adults eventually exit the galls through anterior holes, which may remain visible on the leaf surface.
Aceria baccharipha
Baccharis Leaf Blister Mite
Aceria baccharipha, known as the Baccharis Leaf Blister Mite, is an eriophyid mite in the family Eriophyidae. Like other members of the superfamily Eriophyoidea, it is a worm-like, four-legged mite that parasitizes plants. The species is associated with Baccharis plants, where it causes leaf blistering damage. Eriophyid mites represent one of the largest adaptive radiations of plant-parasitic arthropods, with most species specializing on specific host plants.
Aceria calaceris
Rocky Mountain maple felt mite
Aceria calaceris, the Rocky Mountain maple felt mite, is an eriophyid mite that induces distinctive felt-like galls called erinea on maple leaves. This microscopic species was first described by Hartford H. Keifer in 1952 from Fallen Leaf Lake. It has a complex life cycle involving two female morphs—protogynes for reproduction and deutogynes for overwintering—plus a single male form. The species is found in the western United States and Canada, where it specializes on three maple species.
Aceria caryae
Pecan Leafroll Mite
Aceria caryae, commonly known as the Pecan Leafroll Mite, is an eriophyid mite in the family Eriophyidae. These microscopic, worm-like mites are plant parasites that infest pecan (Carya illinoinensis) and related hickory species (Carya spp.). Eriophyid mites are characterized by their elongated, annulated bodies and reduced number of legs (four legs in adults, compared to eight in most mites). The species causes distinctive leaf rolling symptoms on pecan foliage. As with other eriophyid mites, A. caryae has a short development period of approximately 7–10 days, allowing rapid population buildup under favorable conditions.
Aceria caulis
Black Walnut Petiole Gall Mite
Aceria caulis, the Black Walnut Petiole Gall Mite, is an eriophyid mite in the superfamily Eriophyoidea. Like other members of its genus, this species is a plant parasite that induces abnormal plant growth. The specific epithet 'caulis' and common name suggest association with walnut petioles, though detailed biological studies of this particular species appear limited in the available literature.
Aceria celtis
Witches' Broom Mite
Aceria celtis is an eriophyid mite in the family Eriophyidae that infests hackberry trees (Celtis spp.). The species is commonly known as the Witches' Broom Mite due to the distinctive gall-like growths it induces on host plants. Like other eriophyid mites, it is microscopic (approximately 0.2 mm), worm-shaped, and possesses only four legs. The mite is a specialized plant parasite with a narrow host range centered on Celtis species.
Aceria chondrillae
chondrilla gall mite, skeletonweed gall mite, rush skeletonweed gall mite
Aceria chondrillae is a gall-forming eriophyid mite specialized as a biological control agent for rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea), an invasive herbaceous perennial. Native to the Mediterranean region and ranging from southeast Russia to Portugal, this deuterogynous mite induces leafy galls in host plant buds, causing stunting and reduced seed production. It was introduced to Australia in 1971 and has been released in North America for weed management. The mite exhibits high host specificity and completes its entire life cycle within galls, with populations declining markedly in winter and recovering rapidly in summer.
Aceria cinereae
butternut erineum mite
Aceria cinereae, the butternut erineum mite, is an eriophyid mite in the family Eriophyidae. Eriophyid mites are worm-like, four-legged plant parasites that are among the smallest arthropods, with some species measuring less than 0.1 mm. The genus Aceria contains many species that specialize on specific host plants, often causing distinctive growth abnormalities. A. cinereae has been observed 457 times according to iNaturalist records.
Aceria lantanae
Lantana Flower Gallmite
Aceria lantanae is a minute, worm-like gall mite in the family Eriophyidae, used as a biological control agent against the invasive weed Lantana camara. It forms characteristic flower galls on host inflorescences. Released in South Africa in 2007, it has established patchily with variable success. Its performance is determined primarily by host-plant variety rather than climatic factors, showing significant differential susceptibility across L. camara varieties.
Aceria negundi
box elder pouch gall mite
Aceria negundi, commonly known as the box elder pouch gall mite, is an eriophyid mite that specializes on box elder (Acer negundo). This microscopic arachnid induces characteristic pouch galls on its host plant. Like other members of the Eriophyidae, it has a worm-like body with four legs and is among the smallest plant-parasitic mites, measuring less than 0.2 mm in length. The species has been observed across a broad geographic range with over 4,700 documented observations.
Aceria parapopuli
Poplar Budgall Mite
Aceria parapopuli is an eriophyid gall mite that specializes on Populus (poplar/cottonwood) hosts. Research demonstrates that this mite exhibits genetic divergence driven by hybridization in its host plants, with distinct ITS1 sequence differentiation across multiple cottonwood hybrid zones. The species serves as a model for understanding how plant hybrid zones function as essential habitat and evolutionary drivers for dependent herbivores.
Aceria theospyri
persimmon leaf blister gall
Aceria theospyri is a gall-forming eriophyid mite that produces distinctive leaf blister galls on persimmon (Diospyros virginiana). As a member of the superfamily Eriophyoidea, this microscopic mite has a worm-like, elongated body with only four legs. The species is highly host-specific, feeding exclusively on persimmon and causing characteristic blister-like deformities on leaves. Like other eriophyid mites, it has a short development period allowing rapid population buildup. The mite represents one of thousands of specialized plant-parasitic mites in this ancient lineage that radiated over 200 million years ago.
Aceria trichophila
Aceria trichophila is a species of eriophyid mite in the family Eriophyidae. Eriophyid mites are minute, worm-like plant parasites characterized by their elongated bodies and reduced leg number. Like other members of the genus Aceria, this species is likely specialized on a specific host plant or narrow group of related plants, reflecting the highly host-specific nature of Eriophyoidea. The species has been documented through iNaturalist observations but detailed biological information appears limited in published sources.
Aceria trinema
Aceria trinema is a species of eriophyid mite in the family Eriophyidae. Like other members of the genus Aceria, it is a minute, worm-like mite with a highly reduced body plan adapted for living in confined spaces on plants. Eriophyid mites are among the smallest arthropods, with some species measuring less than 0.1 mm in length. The genus Aceria contains numerous species that are specialized plant parasites, many of which cause distinctive damage symptoms including galls, leaf curling, and witches' brooms on their host plants.
Aceria triplacis
Aceria triplacis is a species of eriophyid mite in the genus Aceria, family Eriophyidae. Like other members of the superfamily Eriophyoidea, it is a minute, worm-like, four-legged mite. Eriophyid mites represent one of the largest lineages of plant-parasitic arthropods, with conservative estimates of 100,000 living species. Most species in this group are highly specialized parasites of vascular plants, typically associated with specific host species or genera. The specific host associations and biology of A. triplacis have not been documented in published literature.
Aceria vaga
Aceria vaga is a species of eriophyid mite in the family Eriophyidae. Eriophyid mites are minute, worm-like arachnids with four legs that are specialized plant parasites. Many species in this group cause distinctive growth abnormalities on their host plants, including galls, witches' brooms, and leaf distortions. Aceria vaga is among the numerous eriophyid species that remain poorly studied despite the group's significant agricultural and ecological importance.
Aculops
Aculops is a genus of eriophyid mites comprising parasitic plant-feeding species. Several members are significant agricultural pests, including Aculops lycopersici (tomato russet mite) and Aculops cannabicola (hemp russet mite). The genus also includes species under consideration for biological control, such as Aculops ailanthii for management of invasive tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima). Species diversity within Aculops remains incompletely documented, with new species continuing to be described.
Aculops ailanthii
Ailanthus leafcurl mite
Aculops ailanthii, commonly known as the Ailanthus leafcurl mite, is an eriophyid mite that infests Ailanthus altissima (tree-of-heaven). This species produces subtle leaf symptoms—undercurled, wrinkled, and glossier foliage—rather than the conspicuous galls typical of many eriophyid mites. The mites themselves are tiny, whitish, and difficult to locate on leaf undersides. The species has been proposed as a potential biocontrol agent against invasive Ailanthus populations in North America, though it remains poorly studied.
Aculops euphorbicolus
Aculops euphorbicolus is a species of eriophyid mite in the genus Aculops. Like other members of this genus, it is likely a plant-feeding specialist, though specific host associations and pest status have not been documented in the provided sources. The genus Aculops contains several economically significant pest species, including the tomato russet mite (Aculops lycopersici) and the hemp russet mite (Aculops cannabicola), but A. euphorbicolus itself has received limited research attention.
Aculops tetanothrix
willow gall mite
Aculops tetanothrix, commonly known as the willow gall mite, is an eriophyid mite species that induces gall formation on Salix (willow) species. The mite has been documented in parts of Europe including Belgium and Denmark. It is characterized by yellow body coloration with brown or sometimes orange markings. The galls it produces on willow foliage initially appear green and later develop red coloration.
Aculus minutissimus
Aculus minutissimus is a minute eriophyid mite, commonly known as a gall mite or rust mite. It is among the smallest arthropods, with a worm-like body and only two pairs of legs in the adult stage. Species in this genus are frequently associated with specific host plants, though detailed host records for A. minutissimus remain limited. The mite is known from numerous observations, suggesting it is relatively widespread but easily overlooked due to its microscopic size.
Eriophyes emarginatae
Plum Finger Gall Mite
Eriophyes emarginatae is a gall-forming eriophyid mite that induces distinctive finger-like galls on Prunus species. The species was formally described by Keifer in 1939 with detailed morphological characterization. It is commonly known as the Plum Finger Gall Mite based on its host associations and gall morphology. The mite is distributed in parts of Europe and North America.
Eriophyes lepidosparti
Scalebroom Bud Mite
Eriophyes lepidosparti is an eriophyid mite commonly known as the Scalebroom Bud Mite. As a member of the family Eriophyidae, it is a microscopic, worm-like mite that inhabits plant tissues. Eriophyid mites are known for inducing various plant deformities including galls, erinea, and bud proliferation through their feeding activities. The specific host associations and geographic distribution of this species require further documentation beyond the available records.
Eriophyes mali
apple blister mite
Eriophyes mali is a microscopic eriophyid mite and a significant pest of apple orchards. It overwinters behind bud scales and initiates spring migration when midday temperatures exceed 10°C, developing two generations per growing season. The mite induces characteristic blister-like galls on apple leaves through its feeding activity, reducing yield and fruit quality. Field studies in Ukraine have demonstrated that targeted insecto-acaricide applications can reduce mite populations by 72.9–93.3% and improve orchard productivity.
Eriophyes neoessigi
cottonwood catkin gall mite
Eriophyes neoessigi is an eriophyid mite species commonly known as the cottonwood catkin gall mite. It is documented on iNaturalist with 168 observations. The species belongs to the genus Eriophyes, which includes gall-forming mites that induce characteristic plant deformities. Unlike the related Eriophyes dimocarpi, which causes witches' broom disease in longan trees, E. neoessigi is associated with cottonwood (Populus spp.) and specifically targets catkins.
Eriophyes pyri
pearleaf blister mite, pear leaf blister mite
Eriophyes pyri is a gall-forming eriophyid mite that attacks pear (Pyrus), apple (Malus), and plum (Prunus). Females overwinter beneath upper bud scales, emerging in spring when average daily temperatures exceed 10°C. The mite induces characteristic blister galls on young leaves by feeding on phloem sap, completing three generations per growing season in temperate regions. Population management through targeted pesticide applications can reduce mite numbers by 75–94% and improve fruit yield and quality.
Phytoptus laevis
Phytoptus laevis is a species of eriophyid mite, currently recognized as a synonym of Eriophyes laevis. The original description dates to 1889 by Nalepa. As with other members of Eriophyidae, this species is a minute plant-feeding arachnid. Distribution records indicate presence in Belgium, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Trisetacus ramosus
Trisetacus ramosus is an eriophyid mite in the family Eriophyidae, a group commonly known as gall mites or rust mites. Species in this genus are associated with coniferous plants, particularly members of Pinaceae. T. ramosus has been reported in association with pine species, though detailed biological studies remain limited. Like other eriophyids, it is minute, worm-like, and possesses only two pairs of legs in the adult stage.