Other Common Names
Goldenrod Spherical Gall Fly, Tephritid Fly
Explanation of Names
Species name solidaginis is Latin for "of Solidago" and refers to the host plant, Solidago (Goldenrod).
Numbers
Foote
(1) recognizes two subspecies, the Eastern nominate subspecies and the Western
Eurosta solidaginis fascipennisIdentification
Galls are distinctive--see photos. See print and Internet references for adults.
Range
Much of North America, from Northwest Territory south to British Columbia, Kansas, Carolinas.
Season
April (North Carolina), April-May (Minnesota)
Life Cycle
Larvae form round galls on the stem of certain goldenrods, Solidago. They feed there, then pupate in early spring. Adults emerge April-May and mate near goldenrod.
Remarks
They have numerous parasitoids. Some listed here
See Also
Goldenrod Elliptical-Gall Moth A similar gall on the same host:
Print References
Arnett, p. 892, describes E. solidaginis, E. crirata.
(2)
Salsbury, p. 407--description, p. 423--photo E. solidaginis gall
(3)
Stokes, pp. 347-351, describes life history E. solidaginis.
(4)
Eastman, p. 152, illustrates E. solidaginis gall.
(5)
Swan and Papp, , illustrate E. solidaginis: gall--fig. 518, p. 329, adult--fig. 1349, p. 628
(6)
Brimley, p. 384, gives season for North Carolina.
(7)Internet References
The Solidago Eurosta Gall Homepage--lots of details on mating, life history
Insects of Cedar Creek--Eurosta comma, Eurosta solidaginis
Hilton Pond, South Carolina,
article on goldenrod galls.
Minnesota State U. Many illustrations and key to different gall parasites in addition to the fly.
Carleton University Some information on life cycle and cold hardiness'
Cornell Institute for Biology Teachers. Goldenrod Gall Size as a Result of Natural Selection.
