Epitrimerus trilobus

Epitrimerus trilobus is a gall mite in the family Eriophyidae, found in Europe. The mites feed on the leaves of elder (Sambucus species), causing abnormal plant growths known as galls. The mite was described by the Austrian zoologist, Alfred Nalepa in 1891.

Epitrimerus trilobus
Gall
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Arachnida
Order:
Arachnid
Family:
Eriophyidae
Genus:
Epitrimerus
Species:
E. trilobus
Binomial name
Epitrimerus trilobus
(Nalepa, 1891)[1]
Synonyms
  • Cecidophyes trilobus Nalepa, 1891

Description of the gall

Epitrimerus trilobus makes upward rolls on the leaves of elder or elderberry. The rolls can be 1–5 millimetres (0.039–0.197 in) wide, loose or tight and can cover the whole of the leaf. Alternatively young leaves can be severely crumpled, failing to open properly.[2][3] Species of elder galled include, American black elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), European elder (Sambucus nigra), red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa).[4] Galls on dwarf elder (Sambucus ebulus) may be caused by an undetermined Epitrimerus species.[3]

The mites feed on the leaves, the surface of the leaf decreases and photosynthesis is reduced, which can result in premature leaf fall. Young and small trees under heavy attack can die. The elder aphid (Aphis sambuci) causes similar injury.[5] The mites leave the galls in late summer and spend the winter in bark crevices or buds.[3]

Distribution

Epitrimerus trilobus is found in Europe and California, USA.[1][6]

References
  1. "Epitrimerus trilobus (Nalepa, 1891)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  2. Chinery, Michael (2011). Britain's Plant Galls. A photographic guide. Old Basing, Hampshire: WildGuides. p. 41. ISBN 978 1903657 43 0.
  3. Redfern, Margaret; Shirley, Peter; Bloxham, Michael (2011). British Plant Galls (Second ed.). Field Studies Council. p. 300. ISBN 978 1 85153 284 1.
  4. Ellis, W N. "Epitrimerus trilobus (Nalepa, 1891)". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  5. Zúbrik, Milan; Kunka, Andrej; Csóka, György (2013). Insects and Diseases Damaging Trees and Shrubs of Europe. NAP Editions. p. 489. ISBN 978 2 913688 18 6.
  6. "Epitrimerus trilobus (Nalepa, 1891)". Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Retrieved 8 March 2022.
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