Species Rhopalomyia solidaginis - Goldenrod Bunch Gall

Classification · Identification · Remarks · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Goldenrod Bunch Gall - Rhopalomyia solidaginis

Goldenrod maggot - Rhopalomyia solidaginis

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

No Taxon ("Nematocera" (Non-Brachycera))

Infraorder Bibionomorpha

Family Cecidomyiidae (Gall Midges)

Genus Rhopalomyia

Species solidaginis (Goldenrod Bunch Gall)

Identification

Eastman (1) states some other flies do make similar galls.

Gall is relatively distinctive--see photo.

Remarks

The moth deposits an egg at the tip of the growing plant. Its larva secretes a chemical that prevents the goldenrod stem from growing although it continues to produce leaves, thus a shortened bunch of leaves is formed.

Print References

Arnett, p. 859, describes briefly (2)

Eastman, p. 154, illustrates gall. (1)

Internet References

North Carolina State University--Ent 525

Galling by Rhopalomyiasolidaginis

Goldenrod gall-forming insects

Host-plant Genotypic Diversity Mediates the Distribution of an Ecosystem Engineer

Works Cited

1.	The Book of Field and Roadside: Open-Country Weeds, Trees, and Wildflowers of Eastern North America By John Eastman, Amelia Hansen

2.	American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico By Ross H. Arnett

Contributed by Cotinis on 28 January, 2005 - 11:44pm
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset
Last updated 3 October, 2008 - 9:40am

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