Contarinia merceri Barnes, 1930

on Alopecurus

Alopeducus pratensis, Zevenaar Ooy, 16.vi. 2025 leg, Rudi Soethof © Hans Roskam

gall

The larve develop in a floret at the expense of the anthers and ovary; seed set fails. Larvae gregarious, golden yellow. Generally univoltine, pupation in the soil.

host plants

Poaceae, (narrowly?) monophagous

Alopecurus pratensis.

larva

Alopeducus pratensis, Zevenaar Ooy, 16.vi. 2025 leg, Rudi Soethof © Hans Roskam: spatula

anal segment

larva

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ovipositor © Hans Roskam

references

Barnes (1930a, 1946b), Gagné (2010a), Skuhravá & Skuhravý (2008a, 2021a: 31), Skuhravá, Skuhravý, Dončev & Dimitrova (1991a, 1992a), Skuhravá, Skuhravý & Meyer (2014a), Skuhravá, Skuhravý, Skrzypczyńska & Szadziewski (2008a).