Mites feed along the midrib, causing the leaves to fold or twist upward to form the gall. When stem buds are attacked, they fail to elongate and form compact clusters of stunted leaves. Under laboratory conditions, gall mites reduce plant growth and flowering. The impact on bindweed under field conditions is uncertain at this time. Bindweed gall mites are almost microscopic in size and wormlike in shape.
Adults are yellow-white and together with the immature stages are found within the leaf galls.
Adults are present from May to November and both adults and nymphs overwinter on root buds of bindweed. Bindweed gall mites can be redistributed by hand collecting galls and transporting them to new hosts. Mites inside galls will survive for several weeks if the galls are kept cool and damp. Mites are being distributed to numerous sites in Texas and Oklahoma this season. Entomology Dept. for a copy while supply lasts.