Macrolabis pavida (Winnertz, 1853)

Fjellberg, Arne & Fedotova, Zoya, 2024, New records of gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) from Norway, Norwegian Journal of Entomology 71, pp. 8-94 : 76

* Macrolabis pavida (Winnertz, 1853)

( Figure 44 )

Material: AK, Asker: Konglungen, Spirebukta, 59.832968°N 10.495180°E ± 5m, 3 June 2022, LMF, leg . HE, coll. NHMO.

Biology and notes: The white larvae live as inquilines in the leaf galls of Dasineura acrophila on Fraxinus excelsior ( Oleaceae ). They can be distinguished from the larvae of the host by having beige rather than green gut content ( Figure 44 A–B ). Univoltine; pupation and hibernation in the soil. We have collected the host Dasineura acrophila several times but have only encountered this inquiline once. In that one case, the inquiline was far more numerous in the galls than the host, outnumbering the host about six to one. In the same galls, both red and white predatory gall midge larvae were found. The red larvae were observed attacking the larvae of M. pavida . The material of predators has not been examined more closely though. The larvae of M. pavida hibernated before hatching.

Distribution: Known from several European countries including Norway and Sweden.

Figures

FIGURE 44. Macrolabis pavida. This species is an inquiline in the galls of Dasineura acrophila on Fraxinus excelsior. A. Larvae in the opened gall of the host.The larvae with green gut content belong to the host.B. Larva. C. Male, with the large gonocoxites typical of the genus. D. Female. Photos: H. Elven.