Balsam Gall Midge
Paradiplosis tumifex
This record describes Paradiplosis tumifex (species). Recorded family: Cecidomyiidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Sciaroidea
- Family
- Cecidomyiidae (Gall Midges and Wood Midges)
- Subfamily
- Cecidomyiinae
- Tribe
- Cecidomyiini
- Genus
- Paradiplosis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on fir ( Abies ) needles.
Life History
Females lay their eggs in fir needles in the spring while the needles are still expanding. The larva settles somewhere along the needle and begins to feed there. The needle grows around the larva, creating an obvious swelling. In late summer the larva drops to the ground, where it overwinters, pupating in spring.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Gagne, 1978
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Paradiplosis tumifex. 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 Balsam Gall Midge (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman