Description
Eriophyid mites are tiny, soft-bodied insects ranging in size between 0.1 and 0.2 millimetres long. There are several different species that affect a range of native plants
Common native plant hosts
| Scientific names | Māori/common names |
|---|---|
| Aristotelia serrata | Wineberry, makomako |
| Clianthus | Kākābeak |
| Hoheria spp. | Lacebark, ribbonwood, houhere |
| Lacebark, ribbonwood, houhere | Silver beech |
| Muehlenbeckia spp. | Mingimingi, wiggywig, tororaro, pōhuehue, wire vine |
| Myoporum laetum | Ngaio |
| Plagianthus spp. | Ribbonwood, mānatu, lowland ribbonwood, marsh ribbonwood |
| Podocarpus t?tara | Tōtara |
| Vitex lucens | Pūriri |
Scientific names
Aristotelia serrata
Māori/common names
Wineberry, makomako
Scientific names
Clianthus
Māori/common names
Kākābeak
Scientific names
Hoheria spp.
Māori/common names
Lacebark, ribbonwood, houhere
Scientific names
Lacebark, ribbonwood, houhere
Māori/common names
Silver beech
Scientific names
Muehlenbeckia spp.
Māori/common names
Mingimingi, wiggywig, tororaro, pōhuehue, wire vine
Scientific names
Myoporum laetum
Māori/common names
Ngaio
Scientific names
Plagianthus spp.
Māori/common names
Ribbonwood, mānatu, lowland ribbonwood, marsh
ribbonwood
ribbonwood
Scientific names
Podocarpus t?tara
Māori/common names
Tōtara
Scientific names
Vitex lucens
Māori/common names
Pūriri
Symptoms and damage
Eriophyid mites are sap-sucking insects. When the mites feed, they cause plant abnormalities including:
- galls
- blisters
- distortion of new growth
- discolouration of foliage
- witches broom (deformed growth that resembles a broom)
- felty patches on leaves.
Damage can be found on leaves, stems, or flower buds depending on the species of mite and host species. The damage is mainly aesthetic.
Prevention and control tips
- Biological control organisms.
- Chemical insecticides.
- Miticides.