''Rhopalomyia anthophila'' the Downy Flower Gall Midgeis a species of gall midges, insects in the family
Cecidomyiidae. It induces galls on the host ''
Solidago altissima
''Solidago altissima'', the tall goldenrod or late goldenrod, is a North American species of goldenrod in the family Asteraceae which is widespread across much of Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. It is common in much of its range ...
'' across much of North America.
Galls and Biology
The gall that is a modified
capitulum
capitulum (plural capitula) may refer to:
*the Latin word for chapter
** an index or list of chapters at the head of a gospel manuscript
** a short reading in the Liturgy of the Hours
*** derived from which, it is the Latin for the assembly known ...
, which is cylindrical and measures in length and in width. It is usually slightly wider bassaly than at its tip and is covered by short, white hairs that give it a fuzzy appearance. The gall is green, situated among normal capitula, accompanied by tiny leaves and/or ray florets at its base. The gall contains a single chamber with an inner, conical chamber that contains a single larva facing downwards. Larvae turn to face upwards before pupation. Galls become apparent in mid-August, and pupation takes place in late August to mid-September.
References
External links
Naturespot - cecidomyiidaeINaturalist - Gall Project
Gall-Inducing Insects: From Anatomy to Biodiversity
A Catalog of the Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) of the World