Knapweed Gall Fly
Urophora affinis
This record describes Urophora affinis (species). Recorded family: Tephritidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Introduced from Europe in 1971 to control knapweed ( Centaurea spp.)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Tephritoidea
- Family
- Tephritidae (Fruit Flies)
- Subfamily
- Tephritinae
- Tribe
- Myopitini
- Genus
- Urophora
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to Europe, introduced in NA
Diet and Behavior
Life History
overwinters as larvae in the seedheads. Pupation is in the spring, adults emerge in mid to late spring. After mating, eggs are laid between bracts on closed flower buds.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Urophora affinis (Frauenfeld 1857)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Urophora affinis. 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 Knapweed Gall Fly (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Martin Hauser; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Vox Sciurorum , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Knapweed Gall Fly
What is Knapweed Gall Fly?
Knapweed Gall Fly (Urophora affinis) is a species in the family Tephritidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Knapweed Gall Fly?
3‒4 mm
Where is Knapweed Gall Fly found?
Range: native to Europe, introduced in NA
What is the life cycle of a Knapweed Gall Fly?
overwinters as larvae in the seedheads. Pupation is in the spring, adults emerge in mid to late spring. After mating, eggs are laid between bracts on closed flower buds.