Eriophyidae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eriophyidae |
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| Eriophyes tiliae tiliae galls | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Trombidiformes |
| Superfamily: | Eriophyoidea |
| Family: | Eriophyidae Nalepa, 1898 |
| Diversity | |
| > 240 genera, > 3,500 species | |
The Eriophyidae, also known as gall mites, are a family of tiny mites. They are like very small plant pests. These mites cause plants to grow unusual bumps or growths called galls.
Contents
What Are Gall Mites?
Gall mites are super tiny creatures, usually only about 0.08 to 0.3 millimeters long. That's smaller than the tip of a pencil! They are unique because they only have two pairs of legs, unlike most mites that have four pairs.
These mites live on plants and feed on them. When they feed, they can cause a lot of damage. The plant reacts by forming strange growths, which are the galls. These galls can look like bumps, fuzzy patches, or even tiny horns on leaves, stems, or flowers.
What Makes Them Special?
Gall mites have a very simple body. Their digestive system, or gut, is straight and doesn't have any extra parts. They also don't have a heart or a circulatory system (the system that moves blood around).
Different Kinds of Gall Mites
There are many different types of gall mites. Scientists have found about 270 different groups, called genera, and over 3,000 different species.
Here are a few examples:
- Abacarus hystrix, also known as the Cereal rust mite.
- Epitrimerus
- Aceria
- Eriophyes tiliae, which causes a type of gall called the lime nail gall.
Images for kids
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Rust mite, Aceria anthocoptes
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Eriophyes cerasicrumena, galls on cherry
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Aceria fraxini, galls
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Aculops rhois, galls on poison ivy
See also
In Spanish: Eriophyidae para niños
