Specialist-parasite
Guides
Aceria dina
Tupelo leaf edge gall mite
Aceria dina is a gall-forming mite in the family Eriophyidae, commonly known as the tupelo leaf edge gall mite. This species induces distinctive gall structures on the leaf edges of its host plant, Nyssa sylvatica (black tupelo or sour gum). Like other eriophyid mites, it has a worm-like, elongated body with four legs and measures approximately 0.2 mm in length. The mite is an obligate plant parasite with a highly specialized relationship to its host.
Holcopasites
cuckoo bees
Holcopasites is a genus of small, uncommon cuckoo bees in the family Apidae, subfamily Nomadinae. The genus contains at least 20 described species distributed in North America. All species are obligate brood parasites that infiltrate the nests of solitary host bees to exploit food provisions intended for host offspring. Males are distinguished from nearly all other Apidae by having 12 antennal segments rather than the typical 13.