Vasates quadripedes

The mite Vasates quadripedes causes galls to form on the leaf veins or leaf blades of Silver Maple, but possibly on other similar ornamental Maple species. The galls are round or elongate, shiny, and with a rather knobbly appearance. They are quite large being 1.5 to 5 mm high and may be yellowish green or bright red at first, becoming darker red and black with age. There may be numerous galls on the same leaf.

Adult Gall

Found on Silver Maple but possibly on other similar ornamental Maple species.

From May onwards when Silver Maple is in leaf.

The mites overwinter under the bark of the Silver Maple, and then move to the new leaves in the spring and begin feeding, causing the galls to form.

Fairly recently discovered in Britain but probably quite frequent.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.