Hemlock Rust Mite

A Technical Report from The Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories

Hemlock rust mite is an Eriophyid mite that feeds on hemlock needles causing foliar symptoms that are often mistaken for a nutrient deficiency, air pollution damage or winter injury. Eriopyhid mites are smaller than most spider mites, wedge-shaped, slow moving arthropods that are not as easily seen with the naked eye. Eriophyid mites are widely distributed and attack a range of plant species, most notably the conifers.