noun
- Plural of eriophyid; tiny mites of the family Eriophyidae that feed on plants and can cause damage to crops and ornamental plants.
Usage: technical; biology; agriculture
Examples
- Eriophyids are microscopic pests that can infest apple trees and reduce fruit quality.
- Farmers monitor their crops for signs of eriophyid damage, such as leaf curling and discoloration.
- The eriophyids on the ornamental plants caused visible galling on the leaves.
- Integrated pest management strategies are used to control eriophyid populations in vineyards.
- Some eriophyids are so small they require a magnifying glass to observe clearly.