Mycodiplosis

larvae on uredinia of Puccinia menthae on Mentha aquatica; Schipborg © Arnold Grosscurt

Belgium, prov. Namur, Vierves-sur-Viroin © Sébastien Carbonnelle

Almost invariably one finds on plant parts that are infested with rust fungi the larvae of the genus Mycodiplosis. They have the typical cecidomyiid shape, are dull and unable to jump. Their number can be considerable, and even on an isolated group of aecia or telia one or more often are present. By their feeding activity on spores and other structures not infrequently the identification of the rust species is made impossible. Also other fungi are consumed, like mildews and for instance Cymadothea trifolii and Rhytisma acerinum Cleary, there is no specialisation as to the host plant or fungus genus. Yet there does seem to exist a specialisation at a higher level, in particular “rusts”, Erysiphales, and Peronosporales.

references

Jost (1987a), Nelsen (2013a), Powell (1971a).