Gall Mite - Aceria cephalonea

Zoete Waters, Belgium.

I hope I entered the Order correctly. Took it from this description:
Parasites > Animalia > Arthropoda > Acari > Actinotrichida > Prostigmata > Eleutherengona > Eriophyoidea > Eriophyidae > Eriophyinae > Acerini > Aceria > Aceria cephalonea

I am not an expert on these things...

comments (7)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

The correct order seems to be "Endeostigmata", already fixed it.

By the way, the species looks pretty similar to this:
https://www.jungledragon.com/specie/20952/maple_bladder-gall_mite.html

I don't know how to tell them apart, just mentioning it. Posted 3 years ago
1. Patomarazul
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! To be honest I have no idea on which is the exact sp. I will aks for help to Christine later as she has posted many gall species and I will also try to dig in on thismyself and come back to it later on. Posted 3 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Sure, thanks! Posted 3 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      I think your ID is likely correct. It seems that there are 3 similar species of Aceria in your area: Aceria cephalonea, Aceria myriadeum, and Aceria macrorhyncha. The host for A. macrorhyncha and A. cephalonea is sycamore (Platanus sp.), while the host for A. myriadeum is maple (Acer sp.). I am terrible at plant ID, but I think the host in your photo is sycamore.
      
      A. macrorhyncha and A. cephalonea are difficult to tell apart, but there are some distinctions: A. macrorhyncha galls are ~6mm long with a pointed tip. A. cephalonea galls are ~3 mm long or less and have a rounded tip. Also, A. macrorhyncha is apparently more common during summer and autumn, while A. cephalonea is more of a spring/very early summer species.
      
      So....I think the galls in your pic have a rounded tip and are growing on sycamore. Photographed in early June too. All these factors make me think your ID of Aceria cephalonea is correct. What do you think?
      Posted 3 years ago, modified 3 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks a lot for the background info and research, much appreciated! Posted 3 years ago
      2. Patomarazul
        
        Lion
        
        Thank you so much! Yes, we have sycamores in this area so it must be it :-) Posted 3 years ago
      3. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        You're welcome :) Posted 3 years ago