Nail Gall - Eriophyes tiliae

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Description

The gall mite, Eriophyes tiliae, causes nail galls (tubular growths up to 5 mm long) to develop on the upper surface of Lime tree leaves, usually on Common Lime Tillia. As for most insect inducers the galls are easier to see than mites.

Life history Mites move onto the foliage in the spring after overwintering in bark crevices or around buds. As the mites suck sap from the leaf surface the chemicals released cause the galls to develop or "induce" . The galls are usually red but may vary from yellow through pink.

Habitat Anywhere that the host trees grow