Aceria aloinis
Pest mite
- No particular symptoms
- Deformation of shoots
- Red-orange galls
| Difficulty Very high |
| Frquency Low |
| Reproductive rate Up to 100x |
| Lifecycle Up to 10 days |
Aceria aloinis, also known as the aloe wart mite or aloe gall mite, is a microscopic pest mite that causes extreme deformations in plants, known as aloe gall.
Host plants
The mite almost exclusively affects plants in the aloe family. It can also target certain varieties in the Haworthia and Gasteria families.
Screening
Aceria aloinis is invisible to the naked eye. Infestation manifests as severe deformations and atrophies in the plant's new growth. Gall-like formations resembling red-orange bubbles may also appear. Damage caused by Aceria aloinis is irreversible and can continue to progress even after affected areas are removed.
Prevention
Aceria aloinis is a desert-origin insect. It is not adapted to the continental climate, and its occurrence there is always associated with the introduction of contaminated plants or objects. Although Amblyseius swirskii may not directly treat infestation, they may contribute to prevention.
Treatment
Treating Aceria aloinis can be a significant challenge as it resides within affected tissues. Contact insecticide application is ineffective, and no proven biological control method exists. Treatment typically relies on the use of systemic chemical insecticides, removal of damaged areas, or complete elimination of affected plants.
Morphology
The adult measures 0.25 millimeters and has two pairs of legs clustered at the front of its body. Its oval shape and white color give it the appearance of a larva.
Behaviour
Aceria aloinis is poorly mobile, and its spread is facilitated by the wind. Significant damage to host plants is caused by the injection of toxins contained in its saliva.
Lifecycle
The life cycle of Aceria aloinis consists of four stages: egg, two nymphal stages, and adult.