Prunus-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.
Enarmonia
cherry bark tortrix (E. formosana)
Enarmonia is a genus of tortricid moths in the subfamily Olethreutinae. The genus contains approximately six described species, with Enarmonia formosana (cherry bark tortrix) being the most extensively studied due to its economic significance as a pest of Prunus species. Larvae develop as concealed feeders under bark, mining the cambium layer. Adults are active in spring and communicate via species-specific sex pheromones.
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.
Rhagoletis cerasi
cherry fruit fly, European cherry fruit fly
Rhagoletis cerasi is a tephritid fruit fly native to Europe and Asia, and an invasive species in North America since 2016. Adults are small, dark flies with distinctive wing patterns. The species is univoltine, with larvae developing inside cherry fruits and causing significant agricultural damage. It is considered a major pest of cherry crops across its range.
Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae
waterlily aphid, water lily aphid
Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae, the waterlily aphid, is a cosmopolitan, host-alternating aphid species with a unique ability to thrive in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. It is a significant agricultural pest that damages crops through direct herbivory and as a vector for plant viruses, particularly affecting Prunus spp. fruits and various aquatic plants. The species exhibits complex life history traits including rapid population growth (intrinsic rate of increase 0.315 day⁻¹, doubling time 2.2 days) and strong host preferences among aquatic vegetation.