gall midge

gall midge
any of several dipterous insects of the family Cecidomyiidae, the larvae of which form characteristic galls on plants. Also called gall gnat.
[1900-05]

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▪ insect
 any minute, delicate insect (order Diptera) characterized by beaded, somewhat hairy antennae and few veins in the short-haired wings. The brightly coloured larvae live in leaves and flowers, usually causing the formation of tissue swellings (galls (gall)). A few live in galls produced by other dipterans. Pupation takes place in the gall or in the soil; the winter is passed in an immature stage.

 The Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor) is the most serious pest within the family. In Europe and North America the chrysanthemum midge (Diarthronomyia hypogaea) makes small galls in the leaves. The rose midge (Dasyneura rhodophaga) infests the young buds and shoots of roses and is a serious pest in greenhouses but rarely outside. Some other serious pests are the wheat midge, sorghum midge, rice midge, clover midge, and pear midge. Tobacco fumigation and dust on soil are used to control these insects.

      A few beneficial species of gall midges prey on aphids, mites, scale insects, and bark beetle larvae. An interesting species of the genus Miastor exhibits an unusual method of reproduction called paedogenesis: (paedogenesis) large larvae produce smaller daughter larvae that remain inside the mother larva, feeding on it and eventually consuming it. The daughter larvae then escape and may reproduce in a similar manner for several generations before pupation takes place.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Gall midge — Gall Gall (g[add]l), n. [F. galle, noix de galle, fr. L. galla.] (Zo[ o]l.) An excrescence of any form produced on any part of a plant by insects or their larvae. They are most commonly caused by small Hymenoptera and Diptera which puncture the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • gall midge — gall′ midge n. ent any midge of the family Cecidomyiidae, the larvae of which form characteristic galls on plants • Etymology: 1900–05 …   From formal English to slang

  • gall midge — or gall gnat n. any of a family (Cecidomyiidae) of tiny midges that often produce galls on plants …   English World dictionary

  • gall midge — noun fragile mosquito like flies that produce galls on plants • Syn: ↑gallfly, ↑gall gnat • Hypernyms: ↑dipterous insect, ↑two winged insects, ↑dipteran, ↑dipteron • Hyponyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • gall midge — noun Date: circa 1889 any of numerous minute dipteran flies (family Cecidomyiidae) most of which cause gall formation in plants …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • gall midge — noun Any insect of the family, whose larvae damage crops and other plants, creating galls on the stems and other fleshy parts …   Wiktionary

  • gall midge — noun a small fly which induces the formation of galls (growths) in plants. [Family Cecidomyiidae: many species.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • gall midge — /ˈgɔl mɪdʒ/ (say gawl mij) noun any small fly of the family Cecidomyidae which makes galls on plants …  

  • Creosote gall midge — Gall created by Asphondylia auripila Scientific classification Kingdom: Ani …   Wikipedia

  • Gall — (g[add]l), n. [F. galle, noix de galle, fr. L. galla.] (Zo[ o]l.) An excrescence of any form produced on any part of a plant by insects or their larvae. They are most commonly caused by small Hymenoptera and Diptera which puncture the bark and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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