Pinyonia edulicola
This record describes Pinyonia edulicola (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
- Pinyonia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Known from Colorado and New Mexico.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
"Eggs are laid on developing needles in mid-June to mid-July. Upon hatching, larvae crawl to the base of the needles. The needles expand into a spindleform enlargement around a chamber housing 5-40 larvae. Larvae grow during the summer and also the following spring. Pupation occurs in the gall, and adults emerge in early summer. Infested needles drop off later in the same year, 6-8 years prematurely."
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Gagne, 1970 Both the genus and species name clearly refer to the host plant, pinyon pine ( Pinus edulis )
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Pinyonia edulicola. 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 Pinyonia edulicola (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman