911±¬ÁÏ

Lime nail gall mites are microscopic animals (less than 0.2 mm long) that feed on the foliage of lime trees (Tilia sp.). The mites feed by sucking sap

Sap is a fluid that circulates through a plant's vascular system, in a similar way to blood moving through our veins. Phloem sap carries the sugars produced in the leaves by photosynthesis down to roots and other storage organs, as well as carrying minerals and hormones. Xylem sap is watery and transports nutrients absorbed by the roots upwards to the rest of the plant. Some plants leak sap from wounds or pruning cuts, and this is known as bleeding. . They secrete chemicals into the plant tissue that causes the leaves to produce the galls. The mites then suck sap from plant cells lining the gall structure. Like most gall mites there is no harm done to the hosts overall heath and vigour and these animals are part of the biodiversity

The variety of living organisms (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) in a particular environment. Boosting the biodiversity of your garden has many benefits, including supporting wildlife, improving soil health and reducing the likelihood of pest and disease problems. that healthy trees support.

There are many different species of gall mite; they are often specific to a single host plant and produce characteristic galls, read more about some others found in gardens.

Have you seen these dark blotches on lime leaves? We would like to know.

As part of our research, the 911±¬ÁÏ would like to know if you have seen dark blotches on leaves of lime trees, like in the picture below. We are working to identify what is responsible for these blotches.

Please submit your records via our (expected time to complete survey = two minutes).

Thank you to everyone who has submitted records so far. Discover other sightings you can report to help our research here .

Between May and June, upper leaf surfaces of lime trees may develop many pale yellow or red pointed tubular structures up to 5-8 mm long. Although the lime nail gall mite disfigures the foliage it has little or no effect on tree growth.

The mite has no impact on the tree’s health or growth and so should be treated as biodiversity

The variety of living organisms (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) in a particular environment. Boosting the biodiversity of your garden has many benefits, including supporting wildlife, improving soil health and reducing the likelihood of pest and disease problems. that healthy lime trees support.

Lime nail gall mites overwinter as non-feeding females in crevices in the bark

Bark is the outermost layer of woody plants (trees, shrubs and woody climbers). It is several cells thick and provides protection against physical damage, disease and environmental stresses. Bark comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns, and these can help gardeners when identifying plants. The fissures and crevices of bark on older plants also creates valuable habitat for many garden creatures as well as lichens and small plants. , especially near buds

A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers. , or underneath bud

A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers. scales. In the spring, when the host plant comes into growth, the mites begin feeding and laying eggs. Up to about 80 eggs may be produced at a rate of two to three a day. There may be two or three generations during the summer with both male and female adults being present. In late summer overwintering females are produced which will not lay eggs until the following year.