Pearleaf Blister Mite
Phyloptus pyri (Pagenstecher)

Life Cycle: Overwinter as adults on host and become active when buds open. Several generations are produced until fall when adults seek overwintering sites.

Monitoring: Examine trees for signs of feeding damage to leaves.

Hosts: Apple, pear, several ornamental trees and shrubs.

Comments: Typical signs of pearleaf blister mite attack are yellowish green to reddish blisters on the leaves causing some deformity, and more serious, reddish lesions on the fruit which later turn dark and scabby. Fruit is often deformed. Adult mites are very small, elongate in shape, and white in colour, unlike rust mites that are tapered and creamy white to yellow in colour.

Body length: Adult - 0.17mm; Mature nymph - 0.15mm