Preliminary Report on a New Bud Eriophyid Mite Eriophyes hybridicola Infesting Plum in China

Eriophyes hybridicola Keifer (Acari:Eriophyidae) is recorded from plum bud for the first time in Liancheng County, Fujian, China. The population of this mite mainly inhabits the buds and petiole bases on new growth inducing abnormal bud proliferation and the formation of solitary or fascicled gall. The injured bud can't germinate, blossom and bear fruit. It differs from two previously described Eriophyes mites on Prunus, namely insidiosus and prunidenzissne, by the lateral shield pattern. The investigation results showed that this Eriophyid mite mainly overwinters as adults beneath live bud scales.The adult mite transfers and spreads from inside to outside of overwintering bud gall and attack new bud during early stage of new bud formation. Besides, According to the occurrence regularity of E. hybridicola Keifer, concerning control measures were suggested in the paper.