(Family Cecidomyiidae)
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
Description |
Cecidomyiidae adults are usually 1⁄16″ to ⅛″ (2 to 3 mm) in length, but some are less than 1⁄32″ (1 mm) long, and some are up to 5⁄16″ (8 mm) long. Most are slender bodied. Many are orange or yellow. The antennae are long, and on most species, they have 12 to 14 segments. The mouthparts are reduced. On most species, the compound eyes meet at the top of the head. Only wood midges in the subfamily Lestremiinae have simple eyes (ocelli) in addition to their compound eyes. Others do not. The wings are usually clear, and the venation is reduced. There are 7 or fewer veins that reach the wing margin. On most species, only 4 veins are well developed. The legs are long and slender. Most larvae are orange or yellow. The head is tiny. They have breathing pores (spiracles) in a row on both sides of the body. |
Distribution |
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Sources |
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12/28/2024 |
Taxonomy |
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Order |
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Suborder |
Nematocera (long-horned flies) |
Infraorder |
Bibionomorpha (gnats and allies) |
Superfamily |
Sciaroidea (fungus gnats and gall midges) |
Subordinate Taxa |
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Subfamily Catotrichinae Subfamily Cecidomyiinae (gall midges) Subfamily Lasiopterinae Subfamily Lestodiplosinae Subfamily Lestremiinae (wood midges) Subfamily Micromyinae (wood midges) Subfamily Porricondylinae Subfamily Winnertziinae |
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Synonyms |
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Cecidomyidae (misspelling) |
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Common Names |
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cecidomyiids gall and forest midges gall gnats gall midges gall midges and wood midges |
Glossary
Gall
An abnormal growth on a plant produced in response to an insect larva, mite, bacteria, or fungus.
Ocellus
Simple eye; an eye with a single lens. Plural: ocelli.
Spiracle
A small opening on the surface of an insect or arachnid through which it breathes.
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Other Videos |
Gallmidge (Cecidomyiidae) on Ash Leaf |
About
Jun 10, 2010 Photographed at Grand Forks, North Dakota (09 June 2010). |
Gallmidge Larvae (Cecidomyiidae) in Boxelder Leaf |
About
May 19, 2010 Photographed at Grand Forks, North Dakota (19 May 2010). |
A fly of the family Cecidomyiidae, known as gall midges or gall gnats |
About
pr 5, 2023 |
Unidentified Gall Midge, Cecidomyiidae on Pac Choi 20190725 131358 |
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Nov 3, 2021 |
Created: 12/28/2024 Last Updated: © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved. |