Lestodiplosis tarsonemi Rübsaamen, 1895

Fjellberg, Arne & Fedotova, Zoya, 2024, New records of gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) from Norway, Norwegian Journal of Entomology 71, pp. 8-94 : 49

* Lestodiplosis tarsonemi Rübsaamen, 1895

( Figure 27 A–B )

Material: AK, Asker : Saetrepollen, N of Grytnes, 59.678368°N 10.538581°E ± 50m, 31 October 2020, LI, leg . TS, coll. NHMO.

Biology and notes: The red, glabrous larvae are predators of the mite Steneotarsonemus phragmitidis (von Schlechtendal, 1898) (Acari: Tarsonemidae ), which forms galls on Phragmites australis ( Poaceae ). Probably univoltine. The larvae in our case hibernated in the mite gall and pupated there in the spring. Several species of Lestodiplosis are associated with gallers on

Phragmites australis . We have identified this species based on a clear association with the host mite. The larvae were numerous inside the galls of the mite ( Figure 27 A ).

Distribution: Known only from Netherlands, Germany and Norway.

Figures

FIGURE 27. Lestodiplosis spp. The members of this genus are predators on various other arthropods. A. Larvae of Lestodiplosis tarsonemi in the opened gall of their host; the gall mite Steneotarsonemus phragmitidis in straw of Phragmites australis. B. Female of Lestodiplosis tarsonemi. C. Young larvae of Lestodiplosis vasta attached to the host Polyxenus lagurus (Myriapoda). D. Larva of Lestodiplosis xylodiplosuga (red) attached to a white larva of the host,Xylodiplosis sp. (Cecidomyiidae). Photos: H. Elven (A, B), A. Fjellberg (C, D).