Litchi Mite

Natural history and identification

The lychee erinose mite feeds on lychee and causes an abnormal felt-like growth of leaf hairs called an erineum. This sheltered growth protects the tiny mites while they feed. Infestation can also affect flowers and fruit. Damage symptoms help locate an infestation, but microscopic examination is needed to identify the mite itself. The record does not imply that every damaged lychee tree on Kauaʻi carries this species.

Kauaʻi occurrence and evidence

Atlas occurrence category: Present. The Kauaʻi record is classified as “Present”. Its cited evidence source is iNaturalist Kauaʻi checklist.

Account coverage

Published species details have been added. A complete Kauaʻi-specific account of identification, habitat, feeding, reproduction, and population trend is not yet established by the sources linked here.

Names and classification

Scientific name

Aceria litchii

Common names

Litchi Mite

Family

Eriophyidae

Order

Trombidiformes

Record type

species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present

Origin

Introduced

Conservation status

Not assessed

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal description

Litchi Mite (Aceria litchii) belongs to Eriophyidae in the order Trombidiformes. Its recorded origin status is introduced.

Sources and further reading

• iNaturalist Kauaʻi checklist
• Natural history and identification — species source