Vasates quadripedes

Maple bladder-gall mite

Description

This species is not native to Europe. It comes from North America. It is a miniature mite that has many generations during the year and lives on the leaves and bark of maples. In the spring, females feed on leaves and lay eggs in developing galls, where their offspring live. In the fall, the underside of the galls opens and the mites crawl to the places where they hibernate (bark crevices). The host tree of this species is the silver maple (Acer saccharinum). From the original range of this species, it is known, that it can also live on red maples Acer rubrum and Acer saccharum.

Symptom

Relatively large galls (2-3 mm) on the upper side of the leaves, that can be numerous. At the beginig they are yellow or yellowish-green, later on they become red, dark red and even black in autumn.

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