Aceria pseudoplatani
| Aceria pseudoplatani | |
|---|---|
| |
| Underside of sycamore leaf with 'felt' gall patches | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Family: | Eriophyidae |
| Genus: | Aceria |
| Species: | A. pseudoplatani
|
| Binomial name | |
| Aceria pseudoplatani | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Eriophyes pseudoplatani[2] | |
Aceria pseudoplatani causes the sycamore felt gall that is found on the leaves of sycamores (Acer pseudoplatanus) or Norway maple (Acer platanoides),[3] and is caused by an acarine gall-mite.
Appearance[edit]
The gall forms a bulge on the upper epidermis, where the pigment colour is usually light yellow to start with and brown later on in the year. The appearance on the lower epidermis is a concavity with cream- or white- coloured felt-like mat that later turns brown.[2][4] The bulge is due to the erinae, or hairs, being wider at their top. In purple-leaved varieties of the sycamore, the patches are pink.[3] The size of the felt-like patches is variable, and they may appear from late spring onwards.[5]
Distribution[edit]
The sycamore felt gall is quite common, is widespread throughout the United Kingdom[6] and is also recorded in Poland, Belgium, and Germany.[7]
References[edit]
Notes;
- ^ European Environment Agency Retrieved : 2013-07-05
- ^ a b Hancy, Page 83
- ^ a b Plant Galls Archived 2013-10-29 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved : 2013-07-05
- ^ Redfern, Page 274
- ^ Darlington, Page 125
- ^ Naturespot Retrieved : 2013-07-05
- ^ Encyclopedia of Life Retrieved : 2013-07-05
Sources;
- Darlington, Arnold (1975). Plant Galls in Colour. Poole : Blandford Press. ISBN 0-7137-0748-8.
- Hancy, Rex (2000). The Study of Plant Galls in Norfolk. The Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society.
- Redfern, Margaret & Shirley, Peter (2002). British Plant Galls. Identification of Galls on Plants and Fungi. Shrewsbury : FSC Publications. ISBN 1-85153-214-5.
External links[edit]
Aceria pseudoplatani In: DrfpLib