Epitrimerus trilobus

Epitrimerus trilobus

Description

Epitrimerus trilobus is a mite that causes galls to form on the leaves of Elder. The leaf margin rolls upwards and becomes slightly thickened. The roll is 1 - 5mm wide, tight, short or extending around most of the leaf;  the leaf may be creased or buckled and reduced in size; the gall contains mites.

Similar Species

Aphids can also cause damage to the leaf, resulting in creasing and buckling.  

Identification difficulty

Adult Gall

ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)

The mite causes tight and narrow leaf-rolls; check for mites inside 

Habitat

On the leaves of Elder.

When to see it

Summer when Elder is in full leaf.

UK Status

Thought to be widespread and fairly frequent in Britain, but probably under recorded.

VC55 Status

Thought to be fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records