Local feeder (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in stems of Phryma [0382]

OrderDiptera
FamilyCecidomyiidae[M,L]
Lower taxonNeolasioptera sp.
No. spp. involvedOne confirmed [1-C]
Feeding modeLocal feeder in stem
Host plantAmerican 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.).

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Affected stem, showing blackened area. Note also that the leaf attached to the stem at the blackened area has died and shriveled. (Photo date: September 29, 2021)
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Affected area on a stem of the host. (Photo date: September 29, 2021)
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Another affected stem. As with the example in the preceding photos, the blackened area is adjacent to a node. (Photo date: Septemer 29, 2021)
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Another view of the affected stem from the previous image (0382-04).
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Detail, affected stem.
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Parasitoid larva in stem at affected area shown in previous photo (0382-05).
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Stem with blackened area inhabited by a Neolasioptera larva.
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Blackened area inhabited by a Neolasioptera larva.
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Inhabited area.
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More views of inhabited area.
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Stem at blackened area, dissected, revealing larva in cocoon.
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Larva in cocoon.
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Larva in cocoon.
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Cocoon, backlit, showing orange Neolasioptera larva inside.
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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