Rush-skeletonweed
Guides
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.
Ophiomyia chondrillae
Ophiomyia chondrillae is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1986. The species is known as a specialized herbivore of Chondrilla juncea (rush skeletonweed), a perennial weed of Eurasian origin that has become invasive in North America and Australia. It has been investigated as a potential biological control agent for this weed. The specific epithet reflects this host association.