Cecidomyiidae

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Cecidomyiidae
Temporal range: Late Jurassic–Recent
Fly December 2007-4.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Suborder: Nematocera
Infraorder: Bibionomorpha
Superfamily: Sciaroidea
Family: Cecidomyiidae
Newman, 1835
Subfamilies
Synonyms
  • Cecidomyidae (common misspelling) [3]
  • Itonididae
A cecidomyiid laying eggs on grass Cecidomyiidae laying eggs.jpg
A cecidomyiid laying eggs on grass
Cecidomyiid in copula
Cecidomyiid oviposting into boreholes of bark beetles on a fallen beech

Cecidomyiidae is a family of flies known as gall midges or gall gnats. As the name implies, the larvae of most gall midges feed within plant tissue, creating abnormal plant growths called galls. Cecidomyiidae are very fragile small insects usually only 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) in length; many are less than 1 mm (0.039 in) long. They are characterised by hairy wings, unusual in the order Diptera, and have long antennae. Some Cecidomyiids are also known for the strange phenomenon of paedogenesis in which the larval stage reproduces without maturing first. [4] [5] In some species, the daughter larvae consume the mother, while in others, reproduction occurs later on in the egg or pupa. [5]

More than 6,650 species and 830 genera are described worldwide, though this is certainly an underestimate of the actual diversity of this family. [6] A DNA metabarcoding study published in 2016 estimated the fauna of Canada alone to be in excess of 16,000 species, hinting at a staggering global count of over 1 million cecidomyiid species that have yet to be described, which would make it the most speciose single family in the entire animal kingdom. [7] A second similar metabarcoding study performed in Costa Rica also found Cecidomyiidae to be the most diverse family of flies, supporting this assertion. [8] A third metabarcoding study in 2023 concluded that Cecidomyiidae are the single most diverse family collected from malaise traps all around the world and are a dominant component of insect diversity, comprising about 20% of all species collected. [9]

Catocha americana WillistonCecidomyiidae.jpg
Catocha americana
Contarinia nasturtii damage on cauliflower Draaihartigheid bij bloemkool (Contarinia nasturtii damage on cauliflower).jpg
Contarinia nasturtii damage on cauliflower

Description

Cecidomyiidae are minute to small (0.5–3.0 mm), rarely larger (up to 8 mm, wing length 15 mm) flies with a delicate appearance. Except for a few genera with reduced wings, the eyes are holoptic. The mouthparts are reduced. Cecidomyiid antennae are notably long, with 12–14 segments, (sometimes fewer and up to 40 in some genera). The antennal segments either consist of a basal thickening and petiole or they are binodal, with a proximal node, an intermediate petiole and a distal node. Basal, medial, and apical whorls of hairs occur on the antennal segments. In some species, whorls of loop-shaped sensory filaments are also found, the basal or medial one sometimes being reduced. Some gall flies have only one (basal) whorl of hairs on the antennal segments, and the sensoria (transparent sensory appendages) differ in size and shape. The filaments are thread-like in the Porricondylinae and in all the Cecidomyiinae and take the form of long loops in the supertribe Cecidomyiidi). Ocelli are present only in the Lestremiinae. The wings are usually clear, rarely patterned. The wing bears microtrichia, often as scales, and some species have macrotrichia. The number of longitudinal veins is reduced. Only veins R1, R4+5, M3+4 and Cu1 are well developed in most species. The medial veins M1 and M2 are developed only in primitive groups, and the costa usually has a break just beyond vein R5. The legs are long and slender, without apical bristles. Gall midge larvae, and many adults, are orange or yellow in color due to carotenoids. [10] Cecidomyiidae are among the very few animals which can synthesize carotenoids, but its unknown to what degree de novo biosynthesis of carotenoids accounts for their characteristic color as opposed to dietary sequestration or endosymbionts. [11] The genes responsible for carotenoid synthesis likely originate from horizontal gene transfer from a fungal donor. [11]

The genitalia of males consist of gonocoxites, gonostyles, aedeagus, and tergites 9 and 10. Lower (in the evolutionary sense) gall flies often have sclerotized parameres and a more or less transparent plate (the tegmen) located above theaedeagus-the tegmen. In higher gall flies, the parameres and tegmen are not developed. In these, instead, close to the aedeagus, is a triangular basal outgrowth of the gonocoxites called the gonosterna. Supporting structures called apodema are located near the base of the genitalia in males; these are often equipped with two outgrowths. The ovipositor is short, lamelliform, or long, mobile, and in some species, acicular.

The larva is peripneustic. The head is tiny, cone-shaped, and has two posterolateral extensions. The mouthparts are reduced, with minute styliform mandibles. The relatively prominent antennae are two-segmented. Integumental setae or papillae are important in taxonomy since they are constant in number within groups. The prothorax has sclerotized sternal spatula (most). The anus is terminal in the Lestremiinae and paedogenetic in the Porricondylinae and ventral in other groups. The pupa is exarate (in a few species it is enclosed within the last instar larval integument). The anterior spiracle and anterior angle of antennal bases is prominent (most). [12] [13]

Asphondylia solidaginis, pupa in gall in Solidago sp. Asphondylia solidaginis pupa gall.jpg
Asphondylia solidaginis , pupa in gall in Solidago sp.
Rhopalomyia solidaginis Rhopalomyia solidaginis adult.jpg
Rhopalomyia solidaginis
Vitisiella larva Vitisiella larva.jpg
Vitisiella larva

As a pest or biological control

Many species are economically significant, especially the Hessian fly, a wheat pest, as the galls cause severe damage. Other important pests of this family are the wheat blossom midge Sitodiplosis mosellana , the Asian rice gall midge (Orseolia oryzae) and the African rice gall midge O. oryzivora. The millet grain midge ( Geromyia penniseti ), sorghum midge ( Contarinia sorghicola ), and African rice gall midge ( Orseolia oryzivora ) attack grain crops such as pearl millet in Mali and other countries of the Sahel in West Africa. [14]

Other pests are the coffee flower midge (Dasyneura coffeae), Soybean pod gall midge, (Asphondylia yushimai) pine needle gall midge (Thecodiplosis japonensis), the lentil flower midge ( Contarinia lentis ), the lucerne flower midge ( C. medicaginis ), and the alfalfa sprout midge ( Dasineura ignorata ) on the Leguminosae; the black locust tree gall midge (Obolodiplosis robiniae), the swede midge ( Contarinia nasturtii ), and the brassica pod midge ( Dasineura brassicae ) on the Cruciferae; the pear midge ( Contarinia pyrivora ) and the raspberry cane midge ( Resseliella theobaldi ) on fruit crops; Horidiplosis ficifolii on ornamental figs, and the rosette gall midge ( Rhopalomyia solidaginis ) on goldenrod stalks, Porricondylini spp. on Citrus, Lestremia spp. on sweet potato, yam, ginger, garlic, onions, taro tubers, and potato, Lestodiplosis spp., Acaroletes spp., and Aphidoletes spp. on oranges, and Arthrocnodax spp. on limes. [15] [16] [17]

In South Africa, Dasineura rubiformis has been deployed against the invasive Australian Acacia mearnsii ; it oviposits eggs into the flowers which develop into galls, thus reducing seed production. [18]

Parasitoids hosted by Cecidomyiidae include Braconidae (Opiinae, Euphorinae), Eurytomidae, Eulophidae, Torymidae, Pteromalidae, Eupelmidae, Trichogrammatidae, and Aphelinidae. All contain species which are actual or potential biological agents.

A large number of gall midge species are natural enemies of other crop pests. Their larvae are predatory, and some are reported as parasitic. The most common prey are aphids and spider mites, followed by scale insects, then other small prey such as whiteflies and thrips, which eat the eggs of other insects or mites. As the larvae are incapable of moving considerable distances, a substantial population of prey must be present before the adults lay eggs, and the Cecidiomyiidae are most frequently seen during pest outbreaks. One species, Aphidoletes aphidimyza , is an important component of biological control programs for greenhouse crops and is widely sold in the United States.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midge</span> Common name for several species of flies

A midge is any small fly, including species in several families of non-mosquito nematoceran Diptera. Midges are found on practically every land area outside permanently arid deserts and the frigid zones. Some midges, such as many Phlebotominae and Simuliidae, are vectors of various diseases. Many others play useful roles as prey for insectivores, such as various frogs and swallows. Others are important as detritivores, and form part of various nutrient cycles. The habits of midges vary greatly from species to species, though within any particular family, midges commonly have similar ecological roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agromyzidae</span> Family of flies

The Agromyzidae are a family of flies, commonly referred to as the leaf-miner flies for the feeding habits of their larvae, most of which are leaf miners on various plants. It includes roughly 2,500 species, they are small, some with wing length of 1 mm. The maximum size is 6.5 mm. Most species are in the range of 2 to 3 mm.

Orseolia oryzae, also called the Asian rice gall midge, is a species of small fly in the family Cecidomyiidae. It is a major insect pest of rice. The damage to the crop is done by the larvae which form galls commonly known as "silver shoots" or "onion shoots". The rice plant is stunted and the seed heads fail to develop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horace Francis Barnes</span> British entomologist

Horace Francis Barnes was an English entomologist who specialised in Diptera.

<i>Contarinia</i> Genus of flies

Contarinia is a genus of midges, small flies in the family Cecidomyiidae. There are over 300 described species in the genus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gnat</span> Any of many species of tiny flying insects in the dipterid suborder Nematocera

A gnat is any of many species of tiny flying insects in the dipterid suborder Nematocera, especially those in the families Mycetophilidae, Anisopodidae and Sciaridae. Most often they fly in large numbers, called clouds. "Gnat" is a loose descriptive category rather than a phylogenetic or other technical term, so there is no scientific consensus on what constitutes a gnat. Some entomologists consider only non-biting flies to be gnats. Certain universities and institutes also distinguish eye gnats: the Smithsonian Institution describes them as "non-biting flies, no bigger than a few grains of salt, ... attracted to fluids secreted by your eyes".

Dasineura communis, the gouty vein midge, is a species of gall midges in the family Cecidomyiidae.

<i>Dasineura tumidosae</i> Species of fly

Dasineura tumidosae is a species of gall midge, insects in the family Cecidomyiidae.

Dasineura parthenocissi is a species of gall midge, insects in the family Cecidomyiidae. It forms galls on Parthenocissus quinquefolia. The gall can host the parasitic wasp Platygaster munita.

<i>Contarinia negundinis</i> Species of fly

Contarinia negundinis, known generally as boxelder gall midge, is a species of gall midges in the family Cecidomyiidae. Other common names include the boxelder bud gall midge and boxelder leaf gall midge. It is the only North American species that enters diapause during the pupal stage of development.

Dasineura trifolii, the clover leaf midge, is a species of gall midges, insects in the family Cecidomyiidae.

<i>Dasineura pellex</i> Species of fly

Dasineura pellex, the ash bullet gall midge, is a species of gall midge, insects in the family Cecidomyiidae.

<i>Dasineura gleditchiae</i> Species of fly

Dasineura gleditchiae, commonly known as the honeylocust podgall midge, is a species of gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae. Native to North America, it is an invasive species in parts of Europe. The honeylocust podgall midge is a pest of honey locust, forming galls on the foliage.

<i>Rhopalomyia clarkei</i> Species of fly

Rhopalomyia clarkei is a species of gall midges, insects in the family Cecidomyiidae. The larvae induce galls on two hosts: Solidago altissima and Solidago rugosa and are found in north-eastern and north central North America.

Rabdophaga rosacea is a species of gall midge that creates rosette galls on roses found in the central plains of North America.

Anabremia is a genus of gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae. The six described species are found in the Palearctic and likely inquilines of Dasineura galls on plants in the legume family. This genus was first described by Jean-Jacques Kieffer in 1912.

Geromyia penniseti, the millet grain midge, is a species of gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae. It is found in Africa and South Asia. During the rainy season, it feeds on the developing grains of pearl millet plants.

Stenodiplosis sorghicola, the sorghum midge, is a species of gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae. It is a pest of millets. The species is native to Africa and is also found in India. During the rainy season, it feeds on the developing grains of pearl millet plants.

References

  1. ↑ Gagné, Raymond; Jaschhof, Mathias (2017). "A Catalog of the Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) of the World, Fourth Edition" (PDF). Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
  2. ↑ Mathias Jaschhof (2016). "A review of world Diallactiini (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae, Winnertziinae), with the description of six new genera and seventeen new species". Zootaxa. 4127 (2): 201–244. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4127.2.1. PMID   27395622.
  3. ↑ "University of California, Riverside". Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2013-01-04.
  4. ↑ Gagné, Raymond J.; Jaschhof, Mathias (2017). "A Catalog of the Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) of the World, Fourth Edition" (PDF). Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2018-03-27.
  5. 1 2 Wyatt, I. J. (2009-04-02). "Pupal Paedogenesis in the Cecidomyiidae (Diptera).-I". Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society of London. Series A, General Entomology. 36 (10–12): 133–143. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3032.1961.tb00259.x.
  6. ↑ R.J. Gagne; M. Jaschof (2021). A Catalog of the Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) of the World (5th ed.). ISBN   978-0-9863941-3-3. Wikidata   Q109561625.
  7. ↑ Hebert, Paul D. N.; Ratnasingham, Sujeevan; Zakharov, Evgeny V.; Telfer, Angela C.; Levesque-Beaudin, Valerie; Milton, Megan A.; Pedersen, Stephanie; Jannetta, Paul; deWaard, Jeremy R. (2016-09-05). "Counting animal species with DNA barcodes: Canadian insects". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 371 (1702): 20150333. doi:10.1098/rstb.2015.0333. ISSN   0962-8436. PMC   4971185 . PMID   27481785.
  8. ↑ Borkent, Art; Brown, Brian V.; Adler, Peter H.; Amorim, Dalton De Souza; Barber, Kevin; Bickel, Daniel; Boucher, Stephanie; Brooks, Scott E.; Burger, John; Burington, Z.L.; Capellari, Renato S.; Costa, Daniel N.R.; Cumming, Jeffrey M.; Curler, Greg; Dick, Carl W. (2018-03-27). "Remarkable fly (Diptera) diversity in a patch of Costa Rican cloud forest: Why inventory is a vital science". Zootaxa. 4402 (1): 53–90. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4402.1.3 . ISSN   1175-5334. PMID   29690278. S2CID   13819313.
  9. ↑ Srivathsan, Amrita; Ang, Yuchen; Heraty, John M.; Hwang, Wei Song; Jusoh, Wan F. A.; Kutty, Sujatha Narayanan; Puniamoorthy, Jayanthi; Yeo, Darren; Roslin, Tomas; Meier, Rudolf (2023). "Convergence of dominance and neglect in flying insect diversity". Nature Ecology & Evolution. 7 (7): 1012–1021. Bibcode:2023NatEE...7.1012S. doi: 10.1038/s41559-023-02066-0 . PMC   10333119 . PMID   37202502.
  10. ↑ Heath, Jeremy J.; Wells, Brenda; Cipollini, Don; Stireman, John O. (2013). "Carnivores and carotenoids are associated with adaptive behavioural divergence in a radiation of gall midges". Ecological Entomology. 38 (1): 11–22. Bibcode:2013EcoEn..38...11H. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2311.2012.01397.x. S2CID   85218179.
  11. 1 2 Cobbs, Cassidy; Heath, Jeremy; Stireman, John O.; Abbot, Patrick (2013-08-01). "Carotenoids in unexpected places: Gall midges, lateral gene transfer, and carotenoid biosynthesis in animals". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 68 (2): 221–228. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2013.03.012. ISSN   1055-7903. PMID   23542649.
  12. ↑ Gagné, R. J. 1981. Cecidomyiidae. In: McAlpine, J. F. et al. (eds.), Manual of Nearctic Diptera. Vol. 1. Research Branch, Agriculture, Canada, Ottawa. pp. 257–292. download here Archived 2013-12-01 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ↑ Mamaev, B.M. Family Cecidomyiidae in Bei-Bienko, G. Ya, 1988 Keys to the insects of the European Part of the USSR Volume 5 (Diptera) Part 2 English edition.Keys to Palaearctic species but now needs revision.
  14. ↑ Heath, J. "Guide to insects, arthropods, and molluscs of northern Dogon country". dogonlanguages.org. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  15. ↑ Darvas, B., Skuhravá, M., Andersen, A., 2000, Agricultural dipteran pests of the Palaearctic Region. In: Papp, L., Darvas, B. (Eds.). Contributions to a Manual of Palaearctic Diptera with Special Reference to Flies of Economic Importance. Science Herald, Budapest, 565–649.
  16. ↑ Dennis S. Hill, 1987 Agricultural insect pests of temperate regions and their control Cambridge [Cambridgeshire]; New York : Cambridge University Press, 1987. ISBN   0521240131
  17. ↑ Dennis S Hill 1987 Agricultural Insect Pests of tropics and their control Cambridge. University Press, New York ISBN   9780521294416
  18. ↑ Impson, F. A. C., Kleinjan, C. A., Hoffmann, J. H., & Post, J. A. (2008). Dasineura rubiformis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a new biological control agent for Acacia mearnsii in South Africa. South African Journal of Science, 104(7-8), 247-249.

Further reading

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Taxonomy

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