Dasineura similis (Löw, 1888)
on Veronica
Veronica anagallis-aquatica, Belgium, prov. Limbourg, Dal van de Grensmaas, Hochter Bampd-Herbicht, 1.ix.2019 © Carina Van Steenwinkel
another specimen
galled flowers, probably caused by the same species
larva
Veronica catenata, Belgium, prov. Limbourg, Maasmechelen, Maesbeempder Greend, 20.viii.2019 © Carina Van Steenwinkel
gall with larva
gall (the exuvium of from a different insect)
Veronica scutellata, Belgium, prov. Namur, Liernu, 22.x.2013 © Jean-Yves Baugnée
Veronica officinalis, Belgium, prov. Namur, Doische, Matagne-la-Grande, 21.vii.2020 © Stéphane Claerebout
opened gall with larvae
Veronica officinalis, Belgium, prov. Namur, Doische, Matagne-la-Petite, 25.viii.2013 © Stéphane Claerebout
another example of the gall
some larvae
mature larva
gall
The topmost leaf pair is reddened, swollen, shell-shaped. The two leaves, pressed against each other form a gall chamber. The larvae are gregarious, orange-yellow. Probably univoltine; pupation in the gall (occasionally also in the soil) in a white cocoon.
hostplants
Plantaginaceae, monophagous
Veronica anagallis-aquatica, beccabunga, chamaedrys, officinalis, scutellata, serpyllifolia.
synonyms
Cecidomyia, Perrisia, similis.
notes
The larvae of Dasineura similis and Jaapiella veronicae cannot be separated macroscopically, and their galls strongly overlap. Abnormally hairy gals of leaf buds and petioles probably invariably are caused by J. veronicae, smooth ones (mostly?) by D. similis. Both species may also occur in galled flowers, and can only tentatively be identified by association with vegetative galls.
references
Buhr (1965a), Dauphin & Aniotsbehere (1997a), Gagné (2010a), Houard (1909a), Kieffer (1891a), Löw (1888a), Redfern & Shirley (2011a), Roskam (2009a, 2019a), Roskam & Carbonnelle (2015a), Simova-Tošić (2008a), Skuhravá & Skuhravý (1994a, 2003a, 2010a), Skuhravá, Skuhravý, Dauphin & Coutin (2005a), Skuhravá, Skuhravý & Jørgensen (2006a), Skuhravá, Skuhravý & Meyer (2014a), Skuhravá, Skuhravý & Neacsu (1972a), Skuhravá, Skuhravý, Skrzypczyńska & Szadziewski (2008a), Tomasi (2014a).