Aceria tenuis (Nalepa, 1891)
on Poaceae
Bromopsis erecta, Belgium, prov. Namur, Couvin, lieu-dit “Roche Albéric”, 24.vi.2018 © Stéphane Claerebout
The density of the mites can be very high.
Dactylis glomerata, Zeewolde, Harderbos © Hans Jonkman
Bromus spec., Belgium, prov. Luxembourg, Tellin, Tienne des Vignes © Carina Van Steenwinkel
old gall
variation
mite (immature; adults a much more slender)
Apera spica-venti, Brummen, Hall © Arnold Grosscurt
Phleum pratense, Belgium, prov. Namur, Dourbes © Stéphane Claerebout
Molinia caerulea, Belgium, prov Liège, Chaudfontaine, Bois de la Rochette © Jean-Yves Baugnée
Elytriga repens, Zeewolde, Harderbos © Hans Jonkman
hostplants
Poaceae, oligophagous
Aeluropus littoralis; Agrostis capillaris, stolonifera; Alopecurus pratensis; Anisantha madritensis, sterilis, tectorum; Anthoxanthum odoratum; Apera spica-venti; Avena sativa; Avenella flexuosa; Avenula pubescens; Brachypodium pinnatum; Briza media; Bromopsis benekenii, erecta, inermis; Bromus arvensis, commutatus, hordeaceus, racemosus, secalinus; Calamgrostis arundinacea, canescens, epigeios, neglecta, purpurea & subsp. phragmitoides; Cynosurus cristatus; Dactylis glomerata; Danthonia decumbens; Deschampsia cespitosa; Elymus repens; Festuca arenaria, rubra; Glyceria fluitans; Helictochloa pratensis; Holcus lanatus; Hordeum murinum, vulgare; Leymus arenarius; Lolium perenne; Milium effusum; Molinia caerulea; Phalaroides arundinacea; Phleum pratense, phleoides; Poa angustifolia, compressa, pratensis & subsp. irrigata; Schedonorus arundinaceus, pratensis; Sesleria caerulea; Setaria viridis; Triticum aestivum.
gall
the mites live in the length grooves of the grass leaves; on grasses with smooth leaves they are much less numerous. At high densities rolling and withering of the leaves does occur, also growth disturbance, malformations and discolouration of the inflorescence.
synonyms
Eriophyes tenuis.
note
galls like those illustrated above are traditionally attributed to Aceria tenuis in the cecidological literature. However, there are a number of gall mite species more that live on grasses that at high densities probably may cause developmental disturbances.
Buhr and Roskam mention a Aceria tenuis subsp. lissa. This is based on a line in Jaap (1918a) referring to a galling of Molinia caerulea by “Eriophyes tenuis var. lissus Nalepa in litt.” Apparently this variety has never been described.
inquilines
? Aceria cornuta, Aculodes dubius.
predators
references
Boczek & Petanović (1996a), Buhr (1964b, 1965a), Carbonnelle, George, Giot & Romain (2018a), Dauphin & Aniotsbehere (1997a), Farkas (1965a), Houard (1908a), Jaap (1918a), Jočić & Petanović (2012a), Koops (2013a), Petanović & Stanković (1999a), Redfern & Shirley (2011a), Ripka (2007a), Roivainen (1947a, 1950a, 1951a), Roskam (2009a), Skoracka, Lewandowski & Boczek (2005a), Stănescu (2009a), Tomasi (2003a, 2012a, 2014a), Weidner (1954a).