Rush skeletonweed gall midge
Cystiphora schmidti
This record describes Cystiphora schmidti (species). Recorded family: Cecidomyiidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Introduced in 1975 from Greece as biocontrol of the invasive skeleton weed Chondrilla juncea (Cichoriaceae). It forms galls in the leaves and stems.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Sciaroidea
- Family
- Cecidomyiidae (Gall Midges and Wood Midges)
- Subfamily
- Cecidomyiinae
- Tribe
- Oligotrophini
- Genus
- Cystiphora
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Rush skeletonweed Chondrilla juncea and related species.
Life History
Four or five generations a year.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Cystiphora schmidti. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Rush skeletonweed gall midge (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset
Frequently Asked Questions About Rush skeletonweed gall midge
What is Rush skeletonweed gall midge?
Rush skeletonweed gall midge (Cystiphora schmidti) is a species in the family Cecidomyiidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Rush skeletonweed gall midge?
0.8 to 1.6 mm
What does Rush skeletonweed gall midge eat?
The diet of the Rush skeletonweed gall midge includes Rush skeletonweed Chondrilla juncea and related species..
What is the life cycle of a Rush skeletonweed gall midge?
Four or five generations a year.