Eriophyidae

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 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.

Aculops rhois, galls on poison ivy

Eriophyidae Temporal range: Palaeogene–present PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
Eriophyes tiliae tiliae galls
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Trombidiformes
Superfamily:	Eriophyoidea
Family:	Eriophyidae Nalepa, 1898
Diversity
> 240 genera, > 3,500 species

Rust mite, Aceria anthocoptes

Eriophyes cerasicrumena, galls on cherry

Aceria fraxini, galls