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Abstract
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The superfamily Eriophyoidea Nalepa, 1898, comprises phytoparasitic mites of significant
economic importance due to their ability to transmit phytopathogens and cause plant damage, such
as galls, witch’s brooms, and big buds. These highly specialized, mostly monophagous mites form
intimate relationships with various plants, including ferns, and are classified into ecological groups,
such as vagrants, gall-makers, and refuge-seekers. Many species are major pests, while some act as
vectors of plant pathogens and they are often listed in quarantine regulations alongside other
agricultural pests . In order to investigate gall making eriophyid mites fauna in Osku County,
sampling was done in this region during automn 2023. Eriophyid mites were recovered from the
plant material by direct examination and preserved in vials of Oudemans’ fluid . Collected
specimens were mounted on microscope slide . Morphological measurements and identification
were done by using an Olympus BX53 phase contrast microscope. During this study, three genera
and four species were identified including: Colomerus vitis (Pagenstecher, 1857) making erineum
on Vitis vinifera L. (Vitaceae) leaves undersurface with bulge on other side; Aceria tristriata
(Nalepa, 1890) making vein galls on Juglans regia (Juglandaceae) leaves raised on both sides;
Aceria salviae (Nalepa, 1891) making erineum on Salvia pratensis L. (Lamiaceae) leaves usually
on underside, with bulge on other side; Phyllocoptes amygdali (Bagdasarian, 1972) making flat
erineum on Prunus dulcis (Mill.) (Rosaceae) leaves undersurface. This is the first record of P.
amygdali for the Iranian fauna of eriophyoid mites.
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