Poison Ivy Leaf Gall Mite

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The irregular, wart‑like light green to reddish-green bladder galls now rising from the upper leaf surfaces of poison ivy are produced by the eriophyid mite, Aculops rhois (= A. toxicophagus) (family Eriophyidae).

Poison Ivy Leaf Gall Mite

They are one of my favorite plant galls because they vaguely resemble the itchy skin blisters we suffer when we contact poison ivy.  I like to imagine that gall-infested poison ivy plants suffer the same agonizing itch; but they have no fingers!