Acalitus stenaspis is an eriophyid mite which causes galls on beech (Fagus species). It is found in Europe and was first described by the Austrian zoologist Alfred Nalepa in 1891.
| Acalitus stenaspis | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Family: | Eriophyidae |
| Genus: | Acalitus |
| Species: | A. stenaspis
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| Binomial name | |
| Acalitus stenaspis | |
| Synonyms | |
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List
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Description of the gall
editAcalitus stenaspis causes three different galls on beech. In spring leaves may be stunted, thickly covered in silver-grey hairs, and may be folded with wavy veins and contain mites.[2]
The gall most associated with this species is the edge of the leaf curling upwards and forming a very tight roll, which is often overlooked. During the summer, numerous mites live inside the gall feeding on a mass of tiny hairs. The roll is pale green or yellow. They leave the gall before leaf fall and spend the winter in the dormant buds.[3] In Scotland downward rolls have been found which may be caused by the same species.[2][4]
A third gall may be buds that grow up to 3 cm long; the shoot becomes disfigured and the leaves are wavy, have an irregular venation and are covered in long hairs. If the shoot overcomes the mite, younger leaves appear normal.[5]
Most literature and websites refer to galls recorded mainly on beech (Fagus sylvatica). Galls have also been recorded on Crimean beech Fagus × taurica.[5]
Inquilines
editArthrocnodax gemmarum is an Inquiline which lives in the gall alongside the gall-causer, [6]
Distribution
editFound in Europe, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Serbia, Spain and Switzerland.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "Acalitus stenaspis (Nalepa, 1891)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
- ^ a b Redfern, Margaret; Shirley, Peter; Boxham, Michael (2011). British Plant Galls (Second ed.). Shrewsbury: Field Study Council. p. 110. ISBN 978-185153-284-1.
- ^ Chinery, Michael (2011). Britain's Plant Galls. Old Basing, Hampshire: WILDGuides Ltd. p. 35. ISBN 978-190365743-0.
- ^ Zúbrik, Milan; Kunca, Andrej; Csóka, György (2013). Insect and Diseases damaging trees and shrubs of Europe. NAP Editions. p. 108. ISBN 978-2-913688-18-6.
- ^ a b Ellis, W N. "Acalitus stenaspis (Nalepa, 1891)". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
- ^ Ellis, W N. "Arthrocnodax gemmarum Kieffer, 1895". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
External links
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Acalitus stenaspis In: DrfpLib