Asynapta phragmitis (Giraud, 1863)

Fjellberg, Arne & Fedotova, Zoya, 2024, New records of gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) from Norway, Norwegian Journal of Entomology 71, pp. 8-94 : 27

* Asynapta phragmitis (Giraud, 1863)

( Figure 9 A–B )

Material: AK, Asker: Saetrepollen, N of Grytnes, 59.678368°N 10.538581°E ± 50m, 31 October 2020, Galls of Lipara sp. on Phragmites australis , I, leg. TS, coll. NHMO; 31 October 2020, Galls of Steneotarsonemus phragmitidis on Phragmites australis , I, leg. TS, coll. NHMO; Brønnøya, Sandbukta, 59.857333°N 10.528840°E ± 30m, 2 April 2019, Galls of Lipara lucens on Phragmites australis , 2F, leg. HE, coll. NHMO; Oslo: Østensjøvannet, 59.897597°N 10.830290°E ± 50m, 12 April 2020, Galls of Lipara sp. on Phragmites australis , I, leg. HE, coll. NHMO.

Biology and notes: The larvae develop in stems of Phragmites australis ( Poaceae ), often in the galls of Lipara spp. ( Diptera : Chloropidae ), but we have also found it associated with mite galls. Univoltine; pupation and hibernation in the host plant. We have not collected larvae of this species, but we have hatched adults from galled Phragmites straws collected in late autumn or early spring. The species is part of a complex of gall midges which utilize Phragmites australis . The species is reviewed in Skuhravá & Skuhravý (1981).

Distribution: Widespread in Europe including Norway and Sweden. Central Asia.

Figures

FIGURE 9. A–B. Asynapta phragmitis hatched from Phragmites australis straws. A. Male. B. Semudobia skuhravae. C–D. Asynapta strobi hatched from Picea abies cones. C. Male. D. Female. Photos: H. Elven (A, B), T. Starholm (C, D).