Mycocecis ovalis Edwards, 1922

Fjellberg, Arne & Fedotova, Zoya, 2024, New records of gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) from Norway, Norwegian Journal of Entomology 71, pp. 8-94 : 53

* Mycocecis ovalis Edwards, 1922

( Figure 31 )

Material: VE, Faerder: Mågerø, 59.15511°N 10.43520°E ± 10m, 9 April 2022, Fraxinus excelsior log with Hypoxylon sp. L, leg. AF, coll. Private; AK, Asker: Slemmestad, Bøsnipa, 59.769351°N 10.468419°E ± 100m, 15 May 2012, Dead Corylus avellana log with Hypoxylon rubiginosum , 5L, leg. BN, coll. NHMO; NTY, Indre Fosen: Hasselvika, Junkeren, 63.630692°N 9.823644°E ± 50m, 15 September 2020, Rotten log with fungus, LPMF, leg. JW, BOLD: NHMO- ENT-548162, coll. NHMO.

Biology and notes: The white larvae develop on the fungus Hypoxylon rubiginosum (Ascomycota: Hypoxylaceae ) on rotting logs of various deciduous trees. Each larva develops in an oval chamber made presumably of a mixture of fungal hyphae, frass and silk. The larva hibernates in the chamber and pupates there in the spring. The adult midge emerges by pushing against the cap of the chamber, which will often open like a hinged lid. This species has been encountered in Norway from time to time by mycologists but has not been officially reported from Norway until now. Here we report three records from 2012, 2020 and 2022 respectively. From one of the samples, which was collected in the autumn, we succeeded in hatching adults in the following spring. DNA barcoding was attempted on one adult specimen from this sample, but without success. The species is reviewed in Evans (1970) and Spooner (2010).

Distribution: Known from a few European countries including Norway, Sweden and Denmark. European part of Russia.

Figures

FIGURE 31. Mycocecis ovalis. This is one of very few gall midges that make something qualifying as galls on fungi. A. Galls on fungus-infected piece of wood. B. Larva. C. Pupa in partly opened gall. D. Female. Photos: H. Elven.