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Genus Rhopalomyia

Representative Images

Another gall, anothe midge - Rhopalomyia clarkei Coyote Brush Bud Gall Midge - Rhopalomyia californica What made this gall? - Rhopalomyia floccosa Rhopalomyia audibertiae? - Rhopalomyia audibertiae Cecidomyiidae, gall on Goldenrod leaf - Rhopalomyia inquisitor-maybe Parasitica on Cecidomyiidae in Stiff Goldenrod, larva, ventral - Rhopalomyia Cecidomyiidae, galls before opening - Rhopalomyia Cecidomyiidae, Erigeron annuus - Rhopalomyia

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Diptera (Flies)
No Taxon ("Nematocera" (Non-Brachycera))
Infraorder Bibionomorpha (Gnats, Gall Midges, and March Flies)
Superfamily Sciaroidea (Fungus Gnats and Gall Midges)
Family Cecidomyiidae (Gall Midges and Wood Midges)
Subfamily Cecidomyiinae (Gall Midges)
Supertribe Lasiopteridi
Tribe Oligotrophini
Genus Rhopalomyia

Explanation of Names

Author: Rübsaamen 1892.

Numbers

Nearctica.com lists 89 species.
Arnett, p. 859, lists 86 species. (1).
Over 250 species worldwide.

Identification

Larvae white to very pale orange. Pupae usually light orange turning to dark orange or even red with age. Antennal bases of most goldenrod gall species do not develop into conspicuous horns. Abdominal segments with spicules.
Adults vary considerably in size.

Life Cycle

They induce galls in different plant parts, rhizomes, stems, leaves, flowers, etc. Some species have one generation per year, others have one fast growing generation in the spring and a slow growing one in summer.

Remarks

Most species are restricted to galls of the family Asteraceae, particularly the tribe Anthemidae, (goldenrods, 16 species).

Internet References

Mcclay-ecoscience.
Revision of the goldenrod-galling Rhopalomyia species (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in North America.
or: Complete text with key to goldenrod Rhopalomyia
New York State Museum
Encyclopedia of Life

Works Cited

1.American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico
Ross H. Arnett. 2000. CRC Press.
Contributed by Cotinis on 28 January, 2005 - 11:34pm
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset
Last updated 15 October, 2010 - 9:59am

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