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Coneflower Rosette Mites (Family Eriophyidae) on Echinacea sp. The tiny white things are the mites. I found them inside a Coneflower Rosette Mite Gall (Family Eriophyidae) on Echinacea sp. Photographed with a microscope.<br /> <br /> To see the mites in action:<br /> <section class="video"><iframe width="448" height="252" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/735614976?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" frameborder="0"></iframe></section><br /> <br /> Here is what the gall looks like:<br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/138780/coneflower_rosette_mite_gall_family_eriophyidae_on_echinacea_sp.html" title="Coneflower Rosette Mite Gall (Family Eriophyidae) on Echinacea sp."><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3232/138780_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=Fprkfob8OLFhsfe9ZYKDDWWOX44%3D" width="200" height="154" alt="Coneflower Rosette Mite Gall (Family Eriophyidae) on Echinacea sp. The green tufted growth on the disc of this coneflower is caused by a tiny eriophyid mite. These mites cause flower head distortion by feeding at the base of the flowers. Eriophyid mites are unique in that they only have 2 pairs of legs (most mites have 4 pairs), and they are so tiny that you would need 40x magnification to see them clearly (most mites can be seen with a 10x hand lens).<br /> <br /> The mite has yet to be taxonomically categorized, so it has no scientific name. But, it&#039;s generally referred to as the Coneflower Rosette Mite based on the damage that it causes to coneflowers.<br /> <br /> Here are the mites from the gall:<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/138778/coneflower_rosette_mites_family_eriophyidae_on_echinacea_sp.html<br /> <br /> https://vimeo.com/735614976 Echinacea,Geotagged,Summer,United States,coneflower rosette mite,eriophyidae,gall" /></a></figure><br /> <br /> The oblong orange thing is possibly a plant bug pupa for the same species as the nymph seen here:<br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/138779/plant_bug_nymph_-_miridae.html" title="Plant Bug Nymph - Miridae"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3232/138779_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=4Je54h%2BW8ZJsHQXKURIh4gjyA1w%3D" width="200" height="152" alt="Plant Bug Nymph - Miridae Found inside a Coneflower Rosette Mite Gall (Family Eriophyidae) on Echinacea sp. This bug was only 1-2 mm in length. Photographed with a microscope.<br /> <br /> Here are the mites from the gall:<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/138778/coneflower_rosette_mites_family_eriophyidae_on_echinacea_sp.html<br /> <br /> Here is what the gall looks like:<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/138780/coneflower_rosette_mite_gall_family_eriophyidae_on_echinacea_sp.html Echinacea,Geotagged,United States,miridae,nymph,plant bug" /></a></figure> Coneflower Rosette Mite,Eriophyidae,Geotagged,United States,echinacea,mites Click/tap to enlarge

Coneflower Rosette Mites (Family Eriophyidae) on Echinacea sp.

The tiny white things are the mites. I found them inside a Coneflower Rosette Mite Gall (Family Eriophyidae) on Echinacea sp. Photographed with a microscope.

To see the mites in action:



Here is what the gall looks like:
Coneflower Rosette Mite Gall (Family Eriophyidae) on Echinacea sp. The green tufted growth on the disc of this coneflower is caused by a tiny eriophyid mite. These mites cause flower head distortion by feeding at the base of the flowers. Eriophyid mites are unique in that they only have 2 pairs of legs (most mites have 4 pairs), and they are so tiny that you would need 40x magnification to see them clearly (most mites can be seen with a 10x hand lens).<br /> <br /> The mite has yet to be taxonomically categorized, so it has no scientific name. But, it's generally referred to as the Coneflower Rosette Mite based on the damage that it causes to coneflowers.<br /> <br /> Here are the mites from the gall:<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/138778/coneflower_rosette_mites_family_eriophyidae_on_echinacea_sp.html<br /> <br /> https://vimeo.com/735614976 Echinacea,Geotagged,Summer,United States,coneflower rosette mite,eriophyidae,gall


The oblong orange thing is possibly a plant bug pupa for the same species as the nymph seen here:
Plant Bug Nymph - Miridae Found inside a Coneflower Rosette Mite Gall (Family Eriophyidae) on Echinacea sp. This bug was only 1-2 mm in length. Photographed with a microscope.<br /> <br /> Here are the mites from the gall:<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/138778/coneflower_rosette_mites_family_eriophyidae_on_echinacea_sp.html<br /> <br /> Here is what the gall looks like:<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/138780/coneflower_rosette_mite_gall_family_eriophyidae_on_echinacea_sp.html Echinacea,Geotagged,United States,miridae,nymph,plant bug

    comments (2)

  1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
    Lion
    View Lion class
    The dedication required to do this, impressive and compliments! Posted 3 years ago
    1. View Christine Young's profile
      Christine Young
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Thanks, it was fun. :) Posted 3 years ago

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By Christine Young

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Uploaded Aug 2, 2022. Captured in 5 East St, New Milford, CT 06776, USA.
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