author(s)
P.N.M. Nasareen and N. Ramani

abstract
The present paper embodies the results of a survey conducted on the eriophyid mite fauna associated with 29 species of economically important plants belonging to 17 families, grown in four districts viz. Waynad, Kozhikkode, Palakkad and Malappuram of North Kerala. The results of the survey yielded 29 species of gall forming eriophyid mites belonging to 4 genera viz., Aceria, Eriophyes, Acalitus, and Diptilomioptus. Out of the 29 species of host plants screened, 22 disclosed distinctly developed mite galls while the rest 7 species showed open galls called the ‘erinea’. Members of the family Rubiaceae were found more susceptible to gall formation, as 6 species showed the presence of mite galls. The maximum number of gall forming eriophyid species could be recovered from the plants growing in Kozhikode district, disclosing 18 species. Lowest number of eriophyid species could be recovered from Palakkad district, showing only 7 species.