Cecidomyiidae

Definition

A family of minute flies (order Diptera) commonly called gall midges or gall gnats, characterized by hairy wings, long bead-like antennae, and larvae that typically induce galls within plant tissues. The family includes some 6,000 described species, many under 3 mm in length, and exhibits the rare phenomenon of paedogenesis in certain lineages, where larvae reproduce precociously without metamorphosis.

Etymology

From Cecidomyia (type genus, from Greek kekis 'gall' + myia 'fly') + -idae (family suffix)

Example

The Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor), a destructive pest of wheat, belongs to Cecidomyiidae and produces silvery galls on seedling stems.

Synonyms

• Gall midges
• gall gnats
• Itonididae (obsolete)

Related Terms

• gall
• Diptera
• Paedogenesis
• cynipid
• Cecidomyiinae
• Lestremiinae

Usage Notes

Often confused with gall wasps (family Cynipidae, order Hymenoptera), which also induce plant galls but possess very different biology and morphology. The hairy wings of Cecidomyiidae are unusual among Diptera and serve as a useful field character for family identification. The family is among the most species-rich in Diptera, yet many species remain undescribed due to their small size and specialized habits.