Aceria tosichella


Aceria tosichella, commonly known as the wheat curl mite, is a global cereal pest and a vector for spreading and transmission of viruses like wheat streak mosaic virus and wheat mosaic virus

Distribution

The distribution of this eriophyid mite is observed mostly in the wheat producing areas of Europe, North and South America

Biology

When it feeds on wheat, A. tosichella transmits the wheat streak mosaic virus. Infected plants show long yellow streaks, associated with some degree of chlorosis which may lead to death of the affected foliage. In Oklahoma, the disease usually appears in late April and early May when the weather warms up.