مشخصات پژوهش

Eriophyoid mites, belonging to the highly diverse superfamily Eriophyoidea within Acariformes, comprise over 5,000 taxonomically accepted species. Their distribution is uneven worldwide, with the majority of described species found in temperate regions. Among terrestrial arthropods, they are some of the smallest, averaging only 200 μm in length, and are distinguished by having just two pairs of legs, earning them the nickname “four-legged mites”. These strictly phytophagous mites form intricate relationships with host plants, inducing galls and blisters—hence their nickname “gall mites” or living as vagrants on leaf surfaces, with some species recognized as agricultural and forestry pests capable of causing significant economic losses . Aceria salviae (Nalepa, 1891) was originally described on Salvia pratensis L. (Lamiaceae), in Austria where it induces erineum, typically on the underside of leaves, accompanied by a bulge on the upper surface. It may also affect the petioles, stems, and flowers of the host plant. According to data from the literature, Aceria salviae forms galls on approximately 10 Salvia species. This species was reported from the Karadag Nature Reserve, Crimea, as a vagrant mite on the flowers and under the flower bracteoles of Salvia tesquicola Klokov & Pobed. (Lamiaceae) . This mite species reported only in Razavi Khorasan province until now . To study the distribution of A. salviae in Iran, samplings were done in different area of Iran. Eriophyid mites were directly examined and recovered from plant material, then preserved in vials containing ethanol. Specimens collected were mounted on microscope slides. In result, A. salviae was found as gall making species in more four different localities of Iran. In general, the distribution of this species based on the studies conducted so far is as follows: (1) Razavi Khorasan province, Mashhad county, on Salvia nemorosa L., during 2011; (2) Sistan and Baluchestan province, Taftan Mountain, on Salvia rhy