Tetramesa brevicornis (Walker, 1832)

on Festuca

Festuca ovina subsp. guestfalica, Belgium, prov. Liège, Plombières~Haldes, Calaminaires de Plombières, 11.vii.2018 © Carina Van Steenwinkel

contrary to the published descriptions, the culm above the gall was developed normally; also the gall was not ribbed lengthwise.

the gall contained 3, perhaps 4, partly overlapping gall chambers

gall

Inside wall of the culm with one or more, sometimes several tens, galls in shape and size similar to a grain of rice, each with a pupa or a white larva. The gall is lengthwise ribbed. Above the galled region the plant is stunted. The larvae pupate in autumn in the gall.

hostplants

Poaceae, monophagous

Festuca ovina & subsp. guestfalica, rubra, stricta subsp. sulcata.

synonyms

Harmolita, Tetramesa ruschkai Hedicke, 1921

references

Buhr (1964a), Claridge (1961a), Jalink (1985a), Popescu (2004a), Redfern & Shirley (2011a).