Monarthropalpus flavus (Schrank, 1776)

Fjellberg, Arne & Fedotova, Zoya, 2024, New records of gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) from Norway, Norwegian Journal of Entomology 71, pp. 8-94 : 51

* Monarthropalpus flavus (Schrank, 1776)

( Figure 29 )

Material: AK, Oslo: Tøyen, Botanical Garden , 59.919524°N 10.770906°E ± 5m, 13 May 2020, L, leg . HE, coll. NHMO; 6 June 2020, PMF, leg . HE, coll. NHMO.

Biology and notes: The white to yellow larvae develop in leaves of Buxus spp. ( Buxaceae ). Our records are from Buxus sempervirens . Each larva forms a circular, blister-like, somewhat discolored mine in the leaf. Several mines may be fused together. Univoltine; hibernation as larva in the leaf, followed by pupation in the leaf in the spring. We have investigated a number of Buxus sempervirens in the wider Oslo area, but the species has so far only been found in the small hedge just outside the DNA lab in Robert Collett’s house in the botanical garden in Oslo. It was first found there by Lars Ove Hansen, but his material awaits processing.

Distribution: Western Palearctic. Widespread in Europe including Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Introduced to USA. Although native to Europe, the species has most likely been introduced to Norway with plant import, and it is thus an alien species in Norway.

Figures

FIGURE 29. Monarthropalpus flavus. This is an alien species in our fauna. A. Galled leaves of Buxus sempervirens. B. Larvae in opened leaf. C. Male. D. Female. Photos: H. Elven.