Gooseberry gall midge
Rhopalomyia grossulariae
This record describes Rhopalomyia grossulariae (species). Recorded family: Cecidomyiidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Length of head + body of adult, 1.8-2.0mm. Head and thorax brown, abdomen with marked reddish tinge (apparently a common color pattern within this genus). Structural characters as for the genus (Rübsaamen 1892) ( 3 ) . Felt (1911) ( 4 ) , in the original description of this species, wrote, This form, in antennal characters, approaches the North American Rhopalomyia tridentatae Rubs. ( sic ) reared from Artemisia , though it is easily distinguished therefrom by the uniarticulate palpi. As with probably many species of this genus, rearing is the best way to acquire reliably-determined individuals of R. grossulariae .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Sciaroidea
- Family
- Cecidomyiidae (Gall Midges and Wood Midges)
- Subfamily
- Cecidomyiinae
- Tribe
- Oligotrophini
- Genus
- Rhopalomyia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Matches the habitat of gooseberry, which is an understory plant of deciduous forest in the eastern USA.
Geographic Range
The species was described from a single locality in Ohio, and Gagné (1989, 2004, 2010) gave Ohio as the known range. The Illinois record submitted here is apparently the first for the state.
Seasonal Activity
See Life Cycle.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae are specific on buds of gooseberry, Ribes spp. . Adult feeding habits are not known; it is possible that adults do not feed, as evinced by their very short lifespan.
Life History
One generation per year. Galls should be sought when gooseberry is beginning to leaf out in spring (late March or early April in central Illinois); adults emerge shortly after the appearance of mature galls.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: This insect is named after the species name of its larval host plant, Ribes grossularia (now a junior synonym of Ribes uva-crispa ).
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Rhopalomyia grossulariae. 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 Gooseberry gall midge (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Terry Harrison
Frequently Asked Questions About Gooseberry gall midge
What is Gooseberry gall midge?
Gooseberry gall midge (Rhopalomyia grossulariae) is a species in the family Cecidomyiidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Gooseberry gall midge?
See Identification.
How do you identify Gooseberry gall midge?
Length of head + body of adult, 1.8-2.0mm. Head and thorax brown, abdomen with marked reddish tinge (apparently a common color pattern within this genus). Structural characters as for the genus (Rübsaamen 1892) ( 3 ) . Felt (1911) ( 4 ) , in the original description of this species, wrote, This form, in antennal characters, approaches the North American Rhopalomyia tridentatae Rubs. ( sic ) reared from Artemisia , though it is easily distinguished therefrom by the uniarticulate palpi. As with probably many species of this genus, rearing is the best way to acquire reliably-determined individuals of R. grossulariae .
Where is Gooseberry gall midge found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Matches the habitat of gooseberry, which is an understory plant of deciduous forest in the eastern USA. |
| Range | The species was described from a single locality in Ohio, and Gagné (1989, 2004, 2010) gave Ohio as the known range. The Illinois record submitted here is apparently the first for the state. |
What does Gooseberry gall midge eat?
The diet of the Gooseberry gall midge includes Larvae are specific on buds of gooseberry, Ribes spp. . Adult feeding habits are not known; it is possible that adults do not feed, as evinced by their very short lifespan..
When is Gooseberry gall midge active?
Gooseberry gall midge: seasonal activity - See Life Cycle..
What is the life cycle of a Gooseberry gall midge?
One generation per year. Galls should be sought when gooseberry is beginning to leaf out in spring (late March or early April in central Illinois); adults emerge shortly after the appearance of mature galls.