Class Arachnida (Arachnids)
Subclass Acari (Mites & ticks)
Order Trombidiformes (Trombid mites)
Family Eriophyidae (Gall mites)
Species Eriophyes tiliae (Pagenstecher, 1857)
Gall height 8-15 mm.
The gall mite Eriophyes tiliae causes red nail-like galls to form on the upper surface of the leaves of Large-leaved Lime (Tilia platyphyllos) and the hybrid Common Lime (Tilia x europaea). They often occur in large numbers. On the underside of the leaf are holes fringed with pale hairs which allow the mites to escape in the autumn.
The mites move onto the foliage in the spring, having overwintered in the bark crevices or around buds.
Seen from June onwards. Found where the host tree grows. Common and widespread in Britain.
Local park, South Staffordshire June 2021. © Peter Hillman
Nature Journeys 