What do gall flies do?
gall fly, any of several different species of insects that cause swelling (galls) in the tissues of the plants they feed on.
What do goldenrod flies eat?
The fly will have no other food throughout its whole life cycle, as adults lack mouthparts and do not eat at all. In late fall, the larva chews a tunnel right up to the outer margin of the gall, but not all the way through.
What do gall midges eat?
A few beneficial species of gall midges prey on aphids, mites, scale insects, and bark beetle larvae.
Where do gall flies live?
The goldenrod gall fly (Eurosta solidaginis), also known as the goldenrod ball gallmaker, is a species of fly native to North America. The species is best known for the characteristic galls it forms on several species in the Solidago, or goldenrod, genus.
How long do gall flies live?
about 2 weeks
Adult gall flies are small (about 5 mm), clumsy and are poor fliers. (They have difficulty righting themselves if they fall on their backs!) They do most of their traveling by walking. Adult flies only live about 2 weeks, during which time they mate and the females lay their eggs.
What causes a goldenrod gall?
The larval fly’s saliva contains a chemical which is thought to mimic plant hormones so it causes the plant to grow abnormally. In response to the insect’s feeding, the plant increases cell production at the site of injury, forming a gall that becomes apparent about 3 weeks after the eggs are laid.
Where do midges come from?
Midges hatch from eggs as small rice-shaped larvae. They spend about four weeks as larvae, living mostly in water and mud, and eating organic debris such as plankton and algae, although the exact amount of time can vary depending on the type of midge and environmental conditions.
What does gall midge look like?
Adult gall midges are tiny flies that look like small mosquitoes. They are usually about 3 mm (0.13 in) long and have long slender antennae and one pair of mostly clear wings.
Is goldenrod gall fly a parasite?
The goldenrod gallfly, Eurosta solidaginis, is one of the parasites of the tall goldenrod that induces cecidogenesis. The goldenrod gallfly gall is recognized by the presence of one or two spheroid-shaped galls on the stem of the plant, typically about 2 cm in diameter.
How big is a midge fly?
1-3 mm
Biting midges are very small, ranging in size from 1-3 mm in length. They typically are grayish, but more reddish when filled with blood. Wings of many species, including some that feed on humans, contain dark patterns, which give them a grayish appearance (Figure 1).
How long do midges live for?
20-30 days
pupa, metamorphosis takes place, and the midge emerges as a flying adult, with a lifespan of 20-30 days. In conditions which are ideal for larval development, midge densities reach extraordinary levels, with a hectare of land estimated to contain up to 24 million larvae.