What does a gall mite look like on a pear? - briefly
The «gall mite» manifests as microscopic, translucent to yellowish organisms that induce tiny, raised, warty or blister‑like galls on the pear’s surface. These galls measure 1–3 mm, often show slight discoloration, and become apparent under close inspection.
What does a gall mite look like on a pear? - in detail
Gall mites (Eriophyidae) induce distinctive galls on pear fruit. The gall appears as a small, raised, puckered area on the skin, often circular or slightly irregular in shape. Color ranges from pale green‑yellow to brown, depending on the stage of development and environmental conditions. The surface texture is rough and may exhibit a honey‑comb pattern of tiny cavities that house the mites.
Key characteristics of the gall include:
- Size: typically 2–5 mm in diameter, occasionally larger when multiple mites colonise the same site.
- Shape: circular to oval, with a slightly raised margin that tapers into the surrounding smooth skin.
- Color progression: initial light‑green hue, darkening to brown or reddish‑brown as the gall matures.
- Surface detail: fine, crater‑like depressions; the central area may be slightly concave, revealing a cluster of minute mites and their silken webs.
- Attachment: the gall remains firmly embedded in the epidermis, without detaching or falling off the fruit.
Internally, the gall consists of hypertrophied parenchyma cells that have been altered by the feeding activity of the mite. This tissue enlargement supplies nutrients to the insects and creates a protective microenvironment. The surrounding tissue often shows chlorosis, a sign of disrupted chlorophyll production caused by the mite’s saliva.
Detection relies on visual inspection of the fruit surface for the described raised, discoloured spots. Microscopic examination reveals the mites themselves: elongated, worm‑like bodies measuring 0.1–0.2 mm, with two pairs of forelegs adapted for piercing plant cells. The combination of external gall morphology and the presence of these minute arthropods confirms the infestation.