FOLIAR SHELTERS FOR MITES IN THE EASTERN DECIDUOUS FOREST

The leaves of many woody plant species of the eastern deciduous forest product special structures in the vein axils (over 70% of species sampled in E-central Illinois). These structures are called domatia when they are well-developed and discrete, but poorly developed, less discrete structures may have similar functions Mites (mostly predatory and fungivorous) use these structures for shelter (> 50% of domatia showed evidence of mite occupancy in most species examined). Mite populations on the leaves build up gradually and reach their peaks on older leaves. Mite-plant associations of this type are likely to be mutualistic and are far more common and widespread than previously recognized.