Aphidoletes urticaria (Kieffer, 1895)

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

* Aphidoletes urticaria (Kieffer, 1895)

( Figure 10 C–D )

Material: AK, Oslo: Malmøya, Solvik, 59.864711°N 10.751989°E ± 8m, 18 June 2020, leaves of Hieracium section Hieracium with aphids, 4L 2M, leg. HE & TS, coll. NHMO.

Biology: The orange-red larvae are free living predators on Aphis urticata Gmelin, 1790 and other species of aphids ( Hemiptera : Aphidoidea). The species appears to have a narrower host range than the previous one and is encountered more rarely ( Harris 1973). Multivoltine; pupation and hibernation in the soil.

Distribution: Western Palearctic, central Asia and USA. Widespread in Europe including Norway, Sweden 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).