[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” module_id=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”squiggle-left” _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” width=”75%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
\t\t
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”36px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Order: Acari
\nFamily: Eriophyidae<\/p>\n
Adults have cylindrical bodies that taper at both the head and rear. They are translucent white or yellow and have two pairs of legs near the head, unlike most mites which have four pairs of legs.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Quick Facts” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”26px” background_color=”#FEBD3B” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/08\/single-eriphyid-mite.jpg” alt=”Single eriophyid mite” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” border_width_all=”4px” border_color_all=”#F15625″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Eriophyid mite adult. Eriophyid mites include 1,859 species worldwide. These mites cannot be seen with the naked eye, however certain plant deformities indicate that an infestation may be present. These pests do not usually cause serious injury to trees. Image credit: Brian Kunkel, University of Delaware, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/08\/Leaf-curling-caused-by-eriophyid-mites.jpg” alt=”Leaf curling caused by eriophyid mites” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Leaf curling caused by eriophyid mites. Image credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/08\/Leaf-folding.jpg” alt=”Leaf folding” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Leaf folding caused by eriophyid mites. Image credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/08\/brown-finger-galls.jpg” alt=”brown finger galls” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The brown finger galls are caused by eriophyid mites. The white stippling injury is caused by another phytophagous arthropod. Image credit: Bruce Watt, University of Maine, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/08\/river-birch-w-felt-gall.jpg” alt=”river birch with felt gall” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n River birch leaf with a felt-like gall caused by eriophyid mites. Image credit: Steven Katovich, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Mites typically overwinter as fertilized adult females and emerge in the spring during bud break. After emerging, females lay eggs and begin feeding. These mites reproduce continuously, with a single adult female producing up to 100 eggs. Each generation completes development in 2 – 3 weeks; this high turnover results in overlapping generations.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Certain symptoms on the host plant can indicate a mite infestation. These include the formation of galls, fruit deformation and russeting, color changes on the leaf surface from bronze to brown or silver, leaf edge rolling, and folding of leaves. In the case of leaf curling, it is important to confirm the presence of eriophyid mites because certain herbicides also cause leaf curling. Eriophyid mites can only be confirmed with a microscope or high-magnification hand lens, which may require the assistance of an expert.<\/p>\n Galls are formed when plant tissues form pockets on leaves, stems, and flowers. In addition to eriophyid mites, there are several insect groups that form galls (e.g., aphids). During feeding or egg laying, these gall forming arthropods secrete chemicals that mimic natural plant growth hormones that stimulate growth of plant tissues. Eriophyid mites form finger-like galls, pocket galls, or masses of plant hairs on leaf surfaces that resemble the texture of felt. These structures provide protected feeding and development sites for the mites. More information on galls and gall forming insects is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Plants should be periodically examined to determine the presence of eriophyid mites before their numbers increase. In addition, some weeds can serve as secondary host plants, so removal of such weeds can help manage mite populations.<\/p>\n Chemical controls should only be used when severe infestations cause major damage or tree stress. To help protect beneficial insects such as pollinators and natural predators of mites, consider using reduced-risk pesticides. If used improperly, broad-spectrum insecticides or miticides can kill off predator populations and lead to resistance in eriophyid mite populations. Therefore, broad-spectrum chemicals should only be used to quickly reduce mite numbers. For more information on reduced-risk and broad-spectrum pesticides, consult the Utah State University factsheet<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Amrine, J. 2013.<\/strong>\u00a0Eriophyid mites. Washington State University. Available\u00a0https:\/\/s3.wp.wsu.edu\/uploads\/sites\/408\/2015\/02\/PLS-89-Eriophyid-Mites.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n Colorado State University. 2022.<\/strong>\u00a0Eriophyid Mites. Colorado State University: Extension \u2013 Plant Talk Colorado. Available\u00a0https:\/\/planttalk.colostate.edu\/topics\/insects-diseases\/1400-8-eriophyid-mites\/<\/a><\/p>\n Cranshaw, W. 2013.<\/strong>\u00a0Insect and Mite Galls. Colorado State University: Extension \u2013 Fact sheet 5.557. Available\u00a0https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/topic-areas\/insects\/insect-and-mite-galls-5-577\/<\/a><\/p>\nLife history and habits<\/h2>\n
Injury<\/h2>\n
Cultural control<\/h2>\n
Chemical control<\/h2>\n
References<\/h2>\n