Semudobia betulae (Winnertz, 1853)

Fjellberg, Arne & Fedotova, Zoya, 2024, New records of gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) from Norway, Norwegian Journal of Entomology 71, pp. 8-94 : 88

Semudobia betulae (Winnertz, 1853)

( Figure 57 A )

Material: AK, Oslo: Ellingsrud, Munkebekken , 59.931515°N 10.913550°E ± 20m, 14 March 2019, on Betula pendula, LMF , leg . HE, coll. NHMO; 23 February 2021, on Betula pendula, MF , leg . HE, coll. NHMO; NSY, Gildeskål: Inndyr, Holmvatnet , 67.053984°N 14.072232°E ± 100m, 21 July 2019, on Betula pubescens , L, leg . HE, BOLD: NHMO-ENT-547978, coll. NHMO.

Biology: The orange larvae develop individually in seeds of Betula nana , B. pendula and B. pubescens ( Betulaceae ). Infected seeds are swollen, have reduced wings, are partly covered

with a felt-like pubescence, and have a round, thin-walled “window” on one side, from which the midge will emerge. Univoltine. The larva hibernates in the gall and pupates there in the spring.

Distribution: Widespread Palearctic, including Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. Introduced to the Nearctic.

Figures

FIGURE 57. Semudobia spp. The members of this genus develop in the catkins of Betula spp. A. Semudobia betulae. Galled seeds of Betula pendula. B. Semudobia skuhravae. Galled catkin scales of Betula pendula. C–E. Semudobia tarda. C. Galled seeds of Betula pendula. D. Male. E. Female. Photos: H. Elven.