Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani, 1847)

Fjellberg, Arne & Fedotova, Zoya, 2024, New records of gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) from Norway, Norwegian Journal of Entomology 71, pp. 8-94 : 27-29

* Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani, 1847)

( Figure 10 A–B )

Material: BØ, Drammen: Miletjern, 59.746477°N 10.041469°E ± 20m, 19 June 2019,

on Hieracium section Hieracium , I, leg. ZF & AK, coll. NHMO; AK, Oslo: Ellingsrud, 59.932968°N 10.913741°E ± 10m, 21 August 2019, flowers of Senecio viscosus , L, leg. HE, BOLD: NHMO-ENT-548002, coll. NHMO; Lillestrøm: Lillestrøm, Åråsen, 59.966055°N 11.064616°E ± 10m, 22 June 2020, flowers of Turritis glabra with aphids, LMF, leg. TS, BOLD: NHMO- ENT-548044,548045,548250, coll. NHMO; 59.966010°N 11.064613°E ± 20m, 29 June 2020, flowers of Turritis glabra with aphids, L, leg. TS, BOLD: NHMO-ENT-548051, coll. NHMO; HOY, Bergen: Bergen, 60.393230°N 5.324500°E ± 2000m, 24 June 2019, on Deschampsia cespitosa , I, leg. ZF & AK, coll. NHMO.

Biology and notes: The orange-red larvae are free living predators on various species of aphids ( Hemiptera : Aphidoidea). Often used as a biological control agent in greenhouses. Multivoltine; pupation and hibernation in the soil. As far as we have been able to track down, this species has not been officially reported from Norway before, although it is being sold commercially in Norway as a biological control agent ( Brandsaeter et al. 2006). The species is probably native to Norway, but the wild population today is probably a mix of native and introduced stock.

Distribution: Nearly cosmopolitan. Widespread in Europe including Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.

Figures

FIGURE 10. Aphidoletes spp. The members of this genus are free living predators on aphids. A. Larva of Aphidoletes aphidimyza. B. Female of Aphidoletes aphidimyza. C. Larva of Aphidoletes urticaria attacking and eating aphid. D. Male of Aphidoletes urticaria. Photos: T. Starholm (A, B), H. Elven (C, D).