Poplar Budgall Mite

Pest Description

• minute, four-legged, cigar-shaped mite; opaque white to yellow in color
• microscope or hand lens required to see mites; use symptoms for identification

Host Plants, Diet & Damage

• cottonwood
• galls are woody and cauliflower-like; typically found on one side of the branch
• galls remain on tree year to year and are unsightly
• galls can reduce leaf production and kill branches

Biology, Life Cycle & Damaging Life Stage

• overwinter primarily in galls, and less frequently in buds
• migration of mites from galls to new buds occurs May through August
• galls may harbor mites for up to 4 years
• immatures and adults are damaging

IPM Recommendations

• Damage is primarily aesthetic; tolerate pest.
• Plant resistant poplar varieties.
• Prune galls or heavily infested branches out of trees in early spring during dormancy.
• Apply horticultural oils at budbreak to target migrating mites.
• Apply an insecticide (avermectin; carbamate; METI acaracide; insecticidal soap; lime sulfur; tetronic and tetramic acid derivatives) at or just prior to budbreak.
• Do not use horticultural oils in combination with, or within 30 days of applying sulfur or a sulfur-containing product.

For more information, see our Poplar Bud Gall Mite fact sheet or our Eriophyid Mites fact sheet.