From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  (Redirected from Eriophyid)
Jump to: navigation, search
Eriophyes tilae tilae detail.JPG
Eriophyes tiliae tiliae galls
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Subclass: Acari
Order: Trombidiformes
Superfamily: Eriophyoidea
Family: Eriophyidae
Nalepa, 1898
> 240 genera, > 3,500 species

Eriophyidae is a family of more than 200 genera of mites, which live as plant parasites, commonly causing galls or other damage to the plant tissues and hence known as gall mites. About 3,600 species have been described, but this is probably less than 10% of the actual number existing in this poorly researched family. They are tiny, microscopic mites and are yellow to pinkish white to purplish in color. The mites are worm like, and have only two pairs of legs. Their primary method of population spread is by wind. They affect a wide range of plants, and several are major pest species causing substantial economic damage to crops. Some species, however, are used as biological agents to control weeds and invasive plant species.

Notable species[edit]

Notable species in this family include:

Selected genera[edit]


External links[edit]