Aceria pseudoplatani

Aceria pseudoplatani
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Subclass: Acari
Order: Prostigmata
Family: Eriophyidae
Genus: Aceria
Species: A. pseudoplatani
Binomial name
Aceria pseudoplatani
Corti, 1905[1]
Synonyms

Eriophyes pseudoplatani[2]

Underside of Sycamore leaf with 'felt' gall patches.

Aceria pseudoplatani causes the Sycamore Felt Gall that is found on the leaves of Sycamores (Acer pseudoplatanus) or Norway Maple (Acer platanoides),[3] and is caused by an acarine gall-mite.

Appearance

The gall forms a bulge on the upper epidermis where the pigment colour is usually light yellow to start with and brown later on in the year. The appearance on the lower epidermis is a concavity with cream or white coloured felt-like mat which later turns brown.[2][4] The bulge is due to the erinae or hairs being wider at their top. In purple-leaved varieties of the sycamore the patches are pink.[3] The size of the felt-like patches is variable and they may appear from late spring onwards.[5]

Distribution

The Sycamore Felt Gall is quite common and is widespread through the United Kingdom[6] and is also recorded from Poland, Belgium and Germany.[7]

References

Notes;

  1. ↑ European Environment Agency Retrieved : 2013-07-05
  2. 1 2 Hancy, Page 83
  3. 1 2 Plant Galls Archived 2013-10-29 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved : 2013-07-05
  4. ↑ Redfern, Page 274
  5. ↑ Darlington, Page 125
  6. ↑ Naturespot Retrieved : 2013-07-05
  7. ↑ Encyclopedia of Life Retrieved : 2013-07-05

Sources;

  • Darlington, Arnold (1975). Plant Galls in Colour. Poole : Blandford Press. ISBN 0-7137-0748-8.
  • Hancy, Rex (2000). The Study of Plant Galls in Norfolk. The Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society.
  • Redfern, Margaret & Shirley, Peter (2002). British Plant Galls. Identification of Galls on Plants and Fungi. Shrewsbury : FSC Publications. ISBN 1-85153-214-5.
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