Rocky Mountain Maple Felt Mite
ExploreInsects
Rocky Mountain Maple Felt Mite
aceria calaceris
The Rocky Mountain Maple Felt Mite is a tiny creature that lives on maple trees! These little mites help keep the trees healthy by breaking down old leaves.
Habitat: On the leaves of Rocky Mountain maple trees.
Appearance
The Rocky Mountain Maple Felt Mite is incredibly tiny, appearing as a pale yellow or whitish speck. It has a distinctive worm-like, elongated body and uniquely possesses only four legs, all located at its head end, setting it apart from many other mites.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassArachnidaOrderTrombidiformesFamilyEriophyidaeGenusAceria
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A single maple leaf can be home to thousands of these microscopic creatures!
Most mites have eight legs, but this super unique mite has only four!
These tiny mites trick maple trees into growing bumpy homes just for them!
They can hitch a ride on the wind to find new maple trees to live on!
Special abilities
Ability
Gall Architect
Rocky Mountain Maple Felt Mite can create protective shelters, called galls, on maple leaves that help them feed and develop safely.
Ability
Micro-Infiltrator
Rocky Mountain Maple Felt Mite has an incredibly tiny size that helps them burrow into plant tissues for feeding and hiding.
Ability
Sap Siphon
Rocky Mountain Maple Felt Mite has piercing-sucking mouthparts that help them extract vital plant sap from maple leaves.
Measurements & details
- Size
- 0.1-0.2 mm
- Lifespan
- 30-60 days
- Leg Count
- 4
Diet & Feeding
These tiny mites are plant-eaters, gently sipping sap from the leaves of maple trees.
Primary Foods
- Maple leaf sap
- Acer grandidentatum
- Acer glabrum
Ecological connections
depends on
Bigtooth Maple
Acer grandidentatum
Mite shelters and feeds on its leaves.
depends on
Rocky Mountain Maple
Acer glabrum
Mite shelters and feeds on its leaves.
eaten by
Ladybug
Stethorus punctillum
Small ladybugs sometimes prey on these mites.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Also known as
Aceria MiteFelt MiteMaple Mite
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Rocky Mountain Maple Felt Mite?
0.1-0.2 mm
How long does Rocky Mountain Maple Felt Mite live?
30-60 days
What does Rocky Mountain Maple Felt Mite eat?
These tiny mites are plant-eaters, gently sipping sap from the leaves of maple trees.
Where is Rocky Mountain Maple Felt Mite usually found?
On the leaves of Rocky Mountain maple trees.
How many legs does Rocky Mountain Maple Felt Mite have?
4
Snap Map
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