Grape Erineum mite, tiny spider causing blisters on grapevine
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Raised green blisters pucker the leaves while a velvety white, pink or red-brown layer spreads underneath: this is the grape erineum mite (Colomerus vitis), a mite a quarter of a millimetre across whose feeding punctures create the galls. Left alone it disappears on its own, with neither harvest nor flavour affected.
Tiny spiders nearly as small as a hair create colonies on leaves and buds of grapevines. This disrupts plant growth, and galls form.
This won’t reduce production, and it won’t change the taste of grapes, either.
Scientists call these species of mite Colomerus vitis(“vitis” means grape vine). They’re even smaller than houseplant red mites: ¼th of a millimeter!
Symptoms of Grape mite
Colonies gather on the underside of the leaves
Often green and in some cases pulling towards red, this is a benign affliction that isn’t cause for alarm…
These are actually mites and ticks that are invisible to the naked eye. They form colonies on the underside of leaves.
As they sting the plant to feed, it create these galls or blisters.
On the underside, a velvety layer appears that is usually white or pink but can also turn to red brown.
Treating erineum mite
A sulphur-based spray is the usual curative option
It isn’t really necessary to treat it because erineum mite disappears on its own and it won’t reduce the harvest in any manner.
Nonetheless, you can apply curative care with a sulfur-based spray, or organically with predators such as Typhlodromus.
But these mite-killing predators are difficult to find in stores, mostly because the impact of erineum mite is insignificant.
Images: Pixabay: Hans Braxmeier; Public Domain: megachile
Written by Gaspard Lorthiois | Loves helping out, especially when it comes to growing things. Worked in herbal medicine, runs a farm, and dabbles in tech. Master's degree and engineer.
