Volume 6, Issue 1, January 2013 ISSN 1791-3691 Hellenic Plant Protection Journal A semiannual scientifi c publication of the BENAKIBEB PHYTOPATHOLOGICAL INSTITUTE The Hellenic Plant Protection Journal (ISSN 1791-3691) is the new scientifi c publication of the Benaki Phytopathological Institute (BPI) replacing the Annals of the Benaki Phyto- pathological Institute (ISSN 1790-1480) which had been published since 1935. Starting from January 2008, the Benaki Phytopathological Institute is publishing the Hel- lenic Plant Protection Journal semiannually, in January and July each year, and accepts for publication any work related to plant protection in the Mediterranean region regardless of where it was conducted. All aspects of plant protection referring to plant pathogens, pests, weeds (identifi cation, biology, control), pesticides and relevant environmental is- sues are topics covered by the journal. Articles in the form of either a complete research paper or a short communication (in- cluding new records) may be submitted. Instructions on how to prepare the manuscript are available in BPI’s website (www.bpi.gr). Manuscripts should be submitted in electron- ic form either by e-mail at [email protected] or by post on a disk addressed to the Edito- rial Board, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 St. Delta Str., GR-145 61 Kifi ssia (Athens), Greece. Only original articles are considered and published after successful completion Hellenic Plant Protection Journal Hellenic Plant of a review procedure by two competent referees. EDITORIAL BOARD Editor: Dr F. Karamaouna (Pesticides Control & Phytopharmacy Department, BPI) Associate Editors: Dr A.N. Michaelakis (Entomology & Agric. Zoology Department, BPI) Dr K.M. Kasiotis (Pesticides Control & Phytopharmacy Department, BPI) Dr N.I. Skandalis (Phytopathology Department, BPI) M. Kitsiou (Library Department, BPI) Technical Editor and Secretary: Asteria Karadima (Information Technology Service, BPI) For subscriptions, exchange agreements, back issues and other publications of the In- stitute contact the Library, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 St. Delta Str., GR-145 61 Kifi ssia (Athens), Greece, e-mail: [email protected]. This Journal is indexed by: CAB Abstracts-Plant Protection Database, INIST (Institute for Scientifi c and Technical Information) and SCOPUS. The olive tree of Plato in Athens is the emblem of the Benaki Phytopathological Institute Hellenic Plant Protection Journal also available at www.bpi.gr © Benaki Phytopathological Institute Hellenic Plant Protection Journal 6: 1-18, 2013 REVIEW ARTICLE Eriophyoid mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea) in Greek orchards and grapevine: A review E.V. Kapaxidi Summary Eriophyoid mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea), one of the most diverse group of mites, are plant feeder specialists, causing various symptoms on plants, and many of them are economically important pests on orchards and grapevines. They are commonly known as gall, rust, bud, and blister mites. Up to date approximately a hundred species of eriophyoid mites have been reported in Greece, thirty three of them, belonging to the families Eriophyidae, Diptilomiopidae and Phytoptidae, in ag- ricultural orchards and vineyards. Information about their hosts, damage and natural enemies is pre- sented. Also, the subjects of monitoring and chemical control of eriophyoid mites are discussed. Additional keywords: blister mites, bud mites, control, natural enemies, rust mites Introduction one host genus, and 99% on one host fami- ly (Skoracka et al., 2010). Among phytophagous mites, the eriophyoid Symptoms of their feeding are varying mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea) are from simple russeting to complex gall forma- the most diverse group and many of erio- tion and may appear on buds, shoots, stems, phyoid species are economically important twigs, fl owers and leaves of the plants. Gall pests (Van Leeuwen et al., 2010). Around formation occurs as a result of mite attack on 3,700 species are currently recognized (Am- individual plant cells; it is a localized growth rine et al., 2003) on angiosperms, coniferous reaction of the host plant to the attack. Com- plants and ferns throughout the world. They mon examples are leaf galls, bud galls, and are commonly known as gall, rust, bud, and erineum. In some plants, elongation of fl ower blister mites. stems and lateral branches is inhibited, caus- Members of the Eriophyoidea are soft ing the development of contorted foliage, bodied, wormlike, or spindle shaped, fl owers, and branches. One of the most con- unique among the mites because they have spicuous examples is witches’-broom, which only two pairs of legs and size so small that is a cluster of brush like growth of stunted they are almost invisible to the unaided eye. twigs or branches on trees. Some eriophy- Eriophyoids are one of the most specialized id species arrest shoot development, caus- groups of plant feeders. They are character- ing leaf sheaths to become enlarged, closely ized by the intimate relationships they have packed, and bunched at stem nodes. Others with their hosts and the restricted range cause the well-known “big bud”, which con- of plants upon which they can reproduce. sists of an aggregation of swollen, thickened Eighty per cent of eriophyoids have been scale leaves. Eriophyids also cause an array reported on only one host species, 95% on of nongall abnormalities, such as leaf fold- ing and twisting, blisters, and discoloration. Russeting and silvering or bronzing of leaves Laboratory of Acarology and Agricultural Zoology, De- are also induced by eriophyid feeding. As a partment of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, 8 St. Delta str., GR-145 61 Kifi ssia (Athens), Greece result of infestation fl owers or young fruits e-mail: [email protected] maybe falling off (Keifer et al., 1982). © Benaki Phytopathological Institute 2 Kapaxidi Eriophyoid mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea) Damage: The plum blister mite infests main- have been recognized as important pests ly almond and plum. On almond, it causes in agriculture and forestry all over the world permanent irregular galls of various sizes (Lindquist et al., 1996). A number of erio- around the buds and deforms the fruit. In- phyoid species are considered to be main fested trees fail to form fruit buds and lose pests on some crops, while others are vigor. On plum, the mites form small, irregu- known to be a quarantine threat for several lar, subsphaerical galls, 1.3-1.8 mm in diam- countries. Nevertheless, several eriophyoid eter surrounding the buds and also deform- species seldom attain high population lev- ing the fruit. The galls may appear singly els and thus their economic importance is a or clustered around the buds and become matter of discussion (Duso et al., 2010). woody. There are quite a few diffi culties evalu- On almond the damage appears to be ating eriophyoid population densities and progressive and irreversible resulting in related yield losses in most cases of erio- death of the tree in 3-6 years. Unlike almond, phyoid infestations. Their minute size and infested plum trees often recover from mite concealed way of life (several species live attack and do not show permanent injury and reproduce well hidden in buds or in in- (Keifer et al., 1982). duced plant structures, like galls, erinea and In the area of Magnesia (Central Greece) blisters) represent an obstacle for detailed on “Skopelos” plum tree the mite starts to studies aiming at determining their impact migrate from the galls to new buds in mid- on agricultural crops. The small size and the April and the migration phase lasts 50 days. behavior of eriophyoids are frequently im- Population builts up until December with plied in misdiagnoses with implications for successive generations, not damaging the yield losses (Duso et al., 2010). In contrast, production or the tree (Papanikolaou and their symptoms are sometimes spectacular Bakoyiannis, 1991). but not of economic impact. Knowledge of the economic impact of eriophyoids on crop Aculus fockeui (Nalepa and Trouessart) yields and threshold levels is a fundamental [Phyllocoptes fockeui Nalepa and Troues- requirement for the improvement of IPM. sart, Vasates fockeui (Nalepa and Troues- Up to date approximately 100 species of sart)] eriophyoid mites have been reported from Syn: Phyllocoptes cornutus Banks [Aculus cor- Greece (Malandraki, 2012), thirty three of nutus (Banks); Vasates cornutus (Banks)] them in agricultural orchards and grape- Phyllocoptes paracornutus Keifer vines. In Table 1, the name of the mite spe- Common name: plum rust mite cies and the host plant species as well as the Damage: This is a pest mainly of plums, corresponding references are summarised. peaches/nectarines and cherries in orchards Most of the papers are dealing with the tax- and nurseries. This mite produces asteroid onomic status, distribution records and con- chlorotic spots on leaves. When populations trol. A few studies deal with their biology are high the leaf is wavy or slightly twisted and control. about its longitudinal axis. Heavy infesta- tions of A. fockeui may form rosette shoots and keep leaves from expanding to nor- Eriophyoid species in Greek orchards mal size. Deutogynes hibernate in niches or near the current season growth. They crawl Eriophyoids of stone fruits into bark crevices, especially around inju- ries, but are also behind potentially active Acalitus phloeocoptes (Nalepa) [Phy- buds, or under available loose bud scales. toptus phloeocoptes Nalepa, Eriophyes As the buds expand in spring the deutog-