Contarinia vera Fedotova, 1997

on Galium

Galium verum, Denmark, Nekselø, vi.2023 © Sébastien Carbonelle

another specimen

lighted from behind

gall

Galing of the tip of the stem; the axis is strongly shortened, several orange larvae live the axis of somewhat broadened and often slightly spiralled leaves. In older, vacated galls the part of the stem above the gall often dies off and turns black. Akso the leaves of the gall itself continue to grown, turn longer and wider, and stronger spiralled.

host plants

Rubiaceae, monophagous

Galium verum.

phenology

Bivoltine, pupation in the soil.

distribution within Europe

THe gall is described from Kazakstan, and recognised by Bruun in Denmark. Bruun points out that in the older gall literature several indications seem to indicate that this species is more widely distributed in Europe, but never recognised.

notes

The description of the gall by Skuhravá & Skuhravý (“globular galls on stem”) in erroneous.

references

Bruun (2019a), Skuhravá & Skuhravý (2021a: 119), Skuhravá, Skuhravý & Buhr (2013a).