Rust Mite Aceria species
Identification
These mites are tiny wormlike and cause leaf distortion.
Location
Common statewide
Size
Microscopic
Diet
They feed on plant cells.
Habitat
They occur on many trees and shrubs.
Activity Period
April to October
Behavior
They feed inside plant tissues. They are active in warm months.
Lifecycle
Breeding occurs in warm seasons.
Population
The population is stable statewide.
History
They have long been present in Ohio.
Human Interactions
They may damage fruit trees.
Facts
They are invisible without magnification.
Sources
ODNR NatureServe
Plant tissues | Trees shrubs crops | Statewide