Survey of Montana grasses for wheat curl mite (Acari: Eriophyidae), the vector of wheat streak mosaic virus

Annual and perennial grasses from a major winter wheat producing area in north central Montana were surveyed for wheat curl mites, Aceria tosichella (Keifer), during the summers of 1995, 1996, and 1997. More than 4,800 grass plants representing 16 species were individually inspected for wheat curl mites. Aceria tosichella was collected from Bromus inermis Leys, Poa interior Rydberg, Poa pratensis L., and winter and volunteer Triticum aestivum L. plants. Few wheat curl mites were collected from B. inermis, P. interior, and T. aestivum L.; P pratensis supported a low population of wheat curl mites all 3 years. In addition, five Aceria n. sp., three Aculodes n. sp., and Aculodes dubius Nalepa were collected from six wild grass species. Results indicate wheat curl mites do not develop to epidemic proportions in wild host grasses.