Neolasioptera vitinea
This record describes Neolasioptera vitinea (species). Recorded family: Cecidomyiidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
A gallmaker on grape ( Vitis >; causes woody, elongate-tapered swelling of tendrils, petioles, or midveins. . . Swellings are 5-15 mm long, and several may occur in tandem. Schizomyia petiolicola Felt was supposedly reared from similar galls, but the adults do not match other Schizomyiina known from grape. Instead, the larvae and galls originally attributed to this species fit Neolasioptera vitinea Felt (Alycaulini). So, we consider that S. petiolicola is not associated with Vitis and the adults were a contamination in the rearing container. (Elsayed et al. 2019)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Sciaroidea
- Family
- Cecidomyiidae (Gall Midges and Wood Midges)
- Subfamily
- Cecidomyiinae
- Tribe
- Alycaulini
- Genus
- Neolasioptera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
One generation per year; adults emerge from galls in spring.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Neolasioptera vitinea. 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 Neolasioptera vitinea (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman