Macrodiplosis niveipila
This record describes Macrodiplosis niveipila (species). Recorded family: Cecidomyiidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Forms galls on leaves of white oak ( Quercus alba ) and other oaks: Amorphous, thin-walled, large fold with white down on inside surface, often deforming leaf. In addition to an illustration of a highly distorted white oak leaf, Gagne illustrates a fuzzy gall on a red oak leaf, identical to the ones shown here, with the caption hairy vein pocket: Macrodiplosis ?niveipila . Evidently this gall is presumed to be caused by the same species but has not been reared. Additional note here .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Sciaroidea
- Family
- Cecidomyiidae (Gall Midges and Wood Midges)
- Subfamily
- Cecidomyiinae
- Tribe
- Lopesiini
- Genus
- Macrodiplosis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Macrodiplosis niveipila. 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 Macrodiplosis niveipila (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset