Studies on the feeding behaviour of the eriophyid mite Abacarus hystrix, a vector of grass viruses

On Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum cv. S 22), the eriophyid mite Abacarus hystrix usually fed on the bulliform epidermal cells at the base of the grooves on the adaxial leaf surface. Scanning electron micrographs illustrate (1) the external morphology of the mouthparts of the mites, (2) how, prior to feeding, they remove cuticular leaf wax with their rostra and (3) feeding punctures in epidermal cells made by the styliform chelicerae. Of eleven graminaceous species tested, A. hystrix only settled on Festuca pratensis, L. perenne and L. multiflorum. On L. multiflorum, the mites preferred the youngest leaves and on mature leaves, preferred the youngest part.