Lestodiplosis xylodiplosuga Skuhravá, 2001

Fjellberg, Arne & Fedotova, Zoya, 2024, New records of gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) from Norway, Norwegian Journal of Entomology 71, pp. 8-94 : 50

* Lestodiplosis xylodiplosuga Skuhravá, 2001

( Figure 27 D )

Material: VE, Faerder: Mågerø, 59.15244°N 10.43216°E ± 10m, 20 September 2021, Quercus robur stumps with Xylodiplosis sp. L, leg. AF, coll. Private.

Biology and notes: The red, glabrous larvae are predators of gall midges of the genus Xylodiplosis . The females oviposit on freshly cut stumps of Fraxinus excelsior ( Oleaceae ) and Quercus spp. ( Fagaceae ). The larvae seek out larvae of the host, which develop in the xylem vessels in the wood, and attach themselves to them to suck nutrients. Attacked larvae die within hours ( Skuhravá & Dengler 2001). Bi- or multivoltine. The larvae are active throughout the winter.

Distribution: Known only from Germany and Norway.

Figures

FIGURE 27. Lestodiplosis spp. The members of this genus are predators on various other arthropods. A. Larvae of Lestodiplosis tarsonemi in the opened gall of their host; the gall mite Steneotarsonemus phragmitidis in straw of Phragmites australis. B. Female of Lestodiplosis tarsonemi. C. Young larvae of Lestodiplosis vasta attached to the host Polyxenus lagurus (Myriapoda). D. Larva of Lestodiplosis xylodiplosuga (red) attached to a white larva of the host,Xylodiplosis sp. (Cecidomyiidae). Photos: H. Elven (A, B), A. Fjellberg (C, D).