Damage of Eriophyid mites (Acari: Eriophyidae) on privet bushes in Guilan province

In the spring of 2023, a severe damage of eriophyid mites was observed on the privet shrubs in Rasht city, Iran. The damage symptoms include deformity of terminal buds, browning of leaves, rusting of leaves surface, severe leaf twisting, spooning of leaves, and reducing of plant growth. So far, two species of eriophyid mites associated with privet shrubs, namely Aculus ligustri (Keifer) and Aceria ligustri (Keifer) have been reported from Guilan province, Northern Iran. In the recent survey, it was found that both species are present together on the hedge privet and cause similar damage. These eriophyid mites damage to two abundant species of privet in Guilan province, including common or hedge privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) and local privet or Mandarche (Ligustrum vulgare). These mites overwinter in the form of deutogyne female inside the buds of privet and lay eggs in the buds at the end of winter, then spring form of mites or protogynes are transferred to the leaves. The activity of the mite on privet starts from early spring and continues until summer. In order to control mites damage, it needs to apply the necessary control measures in early spring at the same time that mites move from buds to leaves, otherwise, the severe mite damage occurs in form of deformity and plant growth decrease, especially in privet hedge shrubs.