Lestodiplosis vasta (Möhn, 1955)

Fjellberg, Arne & Fedotova, Zoya, 2024, New records of gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) from Norway, Norwegian Journal of Entomology 71, pp. 8-94 : 49-50

* Lestodiplosis vasta (Möhn, 1955)

( Figure 27 C )

Material: VE, Larvik: Rakke, 58.98361°N 10.01825°E ± 20m, 8 June 2021, L, leg. AF, coll. Private.

Biology and notes: This unique species is a predator of the millipede Polyxenus lagurus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Myriapoda) . One to three red, glabrous midge larvae attach themselves to the millipede and suck nutrients from it ( Möhn, 1955c). According to Skuhravá & Skuhravý (2021), the attacked millipede dies shortly after the attack. Multivoltine; pupation takes place directly on the prey according to Möhn (1955c). The species has been observed several places in Vestfold, infesting P. lagurus living under the bark on Quercus robur . We have attempted to hatch the adults, but so far without success.

Distribution: Known only from 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).