Lasioptera flexuosa Winnertz, 1853

Fjellberg, Arne & Fedotova, Zoya, 2024, New records of gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) from Norway, Norwegian Journal of Entomology 71, pp. 8-94 : 85

* Lasioptera flexuosa Winnertz, 1853

( Figure 54 )

Material: VE, Larvik: Rakke , 58.97805°N 10.02280°E ± 50m, 15 December 2019, L, leg. AF , coll. NHMO; Ø, Marker: Store Le, Rørvik Camping , 59.368581°N 11.742409°E ± 15m, 25 May 2019, LMF, leg. HE , coll. NHMO; AK , Asker: Brønnøya, Sandbukta , 59.857333°N 10.528840°E ± 30m, 2 April 2019, LMF, leg. HE , coll. NHMO; Oslo: Lindøya, near Skytterbrygga , 59.891713°N 10.718288°E ± 10m, 4 April 2019, LMF, leg. HE , coll. NHMO.

Biology: The orange larvae develop gregariously in stems of Phragmites australis ( Poaceae ). Infected stems show little outward sign of damage but are lined with black mycelium on the inside. The larvae hibernate in the stem and in the spring pupate either in the stem or in the soil. The species is redescribed in Skuhravá & Skuhravý (1981).

Distribution: Known from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Denmark and western parts of Russia.

Figures

FIGURE 54. Lasioptera flexuosa. A. Galled straw of Phragmites australis. Infected straws show no outward sign of galling, but the inside is lined with black mycelium.B. Overwintered larvae in opened straw. C. Male. D. Female with ovipositor fully extended. Photos: H. Elven.