''Aculops rhois'', the poison ivy gall mite, is a species of
Eriophyid
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 l ...
mite found in North America. They form galls in
poison ivy as well as other members of North American ''
Toxicodendron'' and some species of ''
Rhus
Sumac ( or ), also spelled sumach, is any of about 35 species of flowering plants in the genus ''Rhus'' and related genera in the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). Sumacs grow in subtropical and temperate regions throughout the world, including Eas ...
'' (including
fragrant sumac).
Identification
Poison ivy gall mites form small red pouch galls on the upper surface of the leaves of their host. The mites themselves are extremely small and are usually found in the interior of the pouch (on the underside). The bright coloration they create in their host plant, however, makes this species fairly conspicuous and easy to detect compared to other members of ''
Aculops
''Aculops'' is a genus of mites that belongs to the family Eriophyidae that live as plant parasites. Some species, such as ''Aculops lycopersici'', are severe crop or ornamental pests, while ''Aculops ailanthii'' is being considered as biocontro ...
'' (such as ''
Aculops ailanthii
''Aculops ailanthii'', the Ailanthus leafcurl mite, is a species of eriophyid mite that infects trees-of-heaven ('' Ailanthus altissima''). Very little is known about this species. ''A. ailanthii'' has been proposed as a potential biocontrol alon ...
'' in
trees-of-heaven). Due to this, this species is one of the more widely reported species in its genus although like many of its relatives it is still poorly known.
References
Eriophyidae
Animals described in 1909
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