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Aceria cephalonea

Gall mite Aceria cephalonea

Description

A tiny mite, about 0.16 mm in size. It has several generations during the year. In the spring, the females begin to suck on the leaves and thus initiate the formation of small galls in which the mites reproduce and live. The galls are small, only 1-2 mm in size and are often in large numbers on the upper side of the leaf. Yellow-green, more often red. The mites overwinter hide in the bark crevices or near the buds. It lives almost exclusively on the sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus). Rarely also on other types of maples. It can be confused with a similar species of mite - Aceria macrorhyncha, however, it has much larger galls (up to 5-6 mm), which are elongated and with pointed tip. Gall mite Aceria cephalonea reduces the aesthetic value of trees and, in extreme cases, the vitality of especially young maples.

Symptom

Galls, only 1-2 mm in size, and often in large numbers on the upper side of the leaf. Yellow-green, more often red.

Tree Species: Maple

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle

Pest significance: Less harmful

Pest Category: Mites

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes

Seasonal frequency of occurrence

Seasonal frequency of occurrence