Aculus taihangensis (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyidae), a potential biological control agent identified from the highly invasive pest plant, tree of heaven, in Türkiye

Abstract

Invasions by alien plant species are rapidly increasing in both their extent and intensity, leading to the widespread degradation of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems across the world. One of the most widely dispersed, invasive, alien plant species in Europe, North America and many other countries, including Türkiye, is the tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima. Numerous potential biological control agents, including eriophyoid mites, have been reported from this plant within its native range. A widespread collection of leaf specimens from the tree of heaven in Türkiye yielded only the eriophyoid, Aculus taihangensis (=A. mosoniensis), a new record for Türkiye. No obvious damage was observed on any of the leaf specimens. It appears highly unlikely that A. taihangensis is currently playing a meaningful role in the biological control of the tree of heaven in Türkiye.