Massalongia rubra (Kieffer, 1890)

Fjellberg, Arne & Fedotova, Zoya, 2024, New records of gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) from Norway, Norwegian Journal of Entomology 71, pp. 8-94 : 50-51

Massalongia rubra (Kieffer, 1890)

( Figure 28 )

Material: NSY, Meløy: Reipå, Fore , 66.903695°N 13.558062°E ± 600m, 20 July 2020, L, leg. HE , coll. NHMO; Gildeskål: Inndyr, Holmvatnet , 67.046585°N 14.068125°E ± 13m, 18 July 2020, L, leg. HE , coll. NHMO; Gildeskål kirke, 67.059196°N 14.040487°E ± 200m, 21 July 2020, L, leg. HE , coll. NHMO; FØ, Sør-Varanger: Svanhovd , 69.45386°N 30.04046°E ± 10m, 18 August 2021, L, leg. AF, coll. Private.

Biology and notes: The initially white, later red larvae develop in the midrib or thicker side veins of leaves of Betula pendula and B. pubescens

Norwegian Journal of Entomology 71, 8–94 (2024)

( Betulaceae ). Our records are from B. pubescens . Infected veins are swollen on the underside of the leaf and miscolored red. Univoltine; pupation and hibernation in the soil. The species appears to be common in northern Norway but rather rare in the south. The species is redescribed in Elsayed et al. (2020).

Distribution: Western Palearctic. Widespread in Europe including Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.

Figures

FIGURE 28. Massalongia rubra. A. Galled leaf of Betula pubescens. B. Opened gall with microscopic larva. Photos: H. Elven.