Zygiobia carpini (Löw, 1874)

Fjellberg, Arne & Fedotova, Zoya, 2024, New records of gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) from Norway, Norwegian Journal of Entomology 71, pp. 8-94 : 84

* Zygiobia carpini (Löw, 1874)

( Figure 52 )

Material: AK, Oslo: Tøyen, Botanical Garden , 59.919333°N 10.771755°E ± 5m, 20 August 2021, on Carpinus betulus , 4L, leg . HE, coll. NHMO.

Biology and notes: The white larvae develop in galled leaves of Carpinus betulus and Ostrya carpinifolia ( Betulaceae ). The leaf has distinct swellings on the underside along the midrib and the basal part of the side veins. The larvae live entirely inside the swellings. We have only encountered this species once, despite much searching. Only a single galled leaf was found, and the larvae were immature and almost microscopic, but the very characteristic gall formation leaves little doubt about the species. Differentiating morfological features are given in Stelter (1992). Although native to Europe, the species has most likely been introduced to Norway with plant import and is thus an alien species in Norway.

Distribution: Widespread in Europe including Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Also in Georgia and Iran.

Figures

FIGURE 52. Zygiobia carpini. This species is alien in Norway. A. Galled leaf of Carpinus betulus. B. Opened gall with microscopic larvae. Photos: H. Elven.