Local feeder (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in stems of Phryma [0382]
Order | Diptera |
---|---|
Family | Cecidomyiidae[M,L] |
Lower taxon | Neolasioptera sp. |
No. spp. involved | One confirmed [1-C] |
Feeding mode | Local feeder in stem |
Host plant | American lopseed, Phryma leptostachya (Phrymaceae) |
Where the larva of this cecidomyiid dwells within the stem of the host, the stem exterior becomes locally discolored -- it blackens and may also show pale areas with dark spots. Furthermore, the discolored tissue sometimes assumes a sunken appearance. Examples examined as part of the current study displayed the local discoloration of the stem but no visible swelling; however, in some cases, when the discoloration extended into a node, one of the leaves attached at the node was dead and shriveled. Larvae were found in subsurface tissues within these blackened areas of the stem in late September. In one example, the blackened area contained a parasitoid wasp larva instead. The cecidomyiid has been identified as Neolasioptera sp. by R. J. Gagné (pers. comm.).
Specimen data for images
Coll. 09/29/21, field photos same day (01-04), additional photos on 09/30/21 (05-15).
References
[none]
Page created 11/19/23. Last update: 11/18/24