I shot a buch of things like this today. I think that my wife said the plant I saw was (if I remember correctly something like thin-leafed) goldenrod or some other goldenrod. She gave me 2 choices, both goldenrod. I think I shot 10 images and kept one of the galls.

Sorry if my previous comment was misleading. I was told 2 goldenrod names, Lance-leaved Goldenrod or Grass-Leaved Goldenrod, but it was just 2 different common names for one species - Euthamia graminifolia or Solidago graminifolia depending on the source. I'm not sure if that is the plant yours are on, but that is what my wife IDed mine as. Hope that helps or at least gets rid of some of the confusion I may have caused.

I've added 2 images of the weed. You can see the spots on the leaves in them, too.

How about a close-up of the flowers (or flowerbuds)? I'm still not quite sure. When the flowers bloom it should be obvious what this is.

Judging from the buds for the flowers, I'd say it's a goldenrod. Can you tell me more about the midges or direct me to a link. Thanks.

The photos of the leaves are consistent with being goldenrod. The diverging veins (the "pitchfork" seen in both photos) would suggest Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis, or a close relative like S. altissima or S. gigantea); grass-leaved goldenrod (Euthamia [formerly Solidago] graminifolia) has veins that are parallel for the whole length of the leaf, so no diverging "pitchfork" partway up its length. The small teeth on the upper end of the leaf and the small hairs on the surface and edges are also consistent with Canada goldenrod; grass-leaved goldenrod leaves are entirely smooth-edged.

guide page.