Ampelomyia vitispomum
(Osten Sacken, 1878)
Ampelomyia vitispomum is a gall midge in the Cecidomyiidae that induces galls on grape plants (Vitis spp.). It was first described by Carl Robert Osten-Sacken in 1878 and transferred to the Ampelomyia in 2018 based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence. It is one of three Vitis-associated species in this genus found in the Nearctic region.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ampelomyia vitispomum: //ˌæm.pəˈloʊ.mi.jə ˌvɪ.tɪsˈpɒm.uːm//
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Identification
of Ampelomyia vitispomum can be distinguished from other Schizomyiina by the combination of: ventroapical extension on tarsomere I, and associated gall on grape . Larvae are characterized by abdominal segment VIII bearing a posterodorsal lobe and dorsally shifted papillae. The specific gall type induced by A. vitispomum has been described as a 'pomum' gall, though detailed morphological descriptions of this structure are not well-documented in available sources.
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Habitat
Associated with grape plants (Vitis spp.) in areas supporting wild or cultivated grape . Specific microhabitat preferences beyond association are not documented.
Distribution
Eastern North America (Nearctic region). Documented from Vermont and other parts of the United States.
Host Associations
- Vitis - Gall inducerInduces galls on grape plants; specific not documented in available sources
Behavior
Induces gall formation on grape plant tissue. The specific behavioral mechanisms of gall induction have not been described in detail.
Ecological Role
Gall inducer on Vitis (grape) . Creates plant tissue galls that provide protected microhabitats for larval development.
Similar Taxa
- Ampelomyia viticolaAlso in Ampelomyia and associated with Vitis in the Nearctic region; distinguished by gall and specificity details
- Ampelomyia vitiscoryloidesThird Nearctic Vitis-associated in Ampelomyia; similar larval and requiring detailed examination to distinguish
- Ampelomyia conicocoricisPalaearctic inducing conical leaf galls on Vitis in Japan; distinguished by geographic distribution and gall shape
More Details
Taxonomic history
Originally described as Schizomyia vitispomum by Osten-Sacken in 1878. Transferred to the newly erected Ampelomyia by Elsayed and Tokuda in 2018 based on morphological studies of larvae and combined with molecular phylogenetic analysis.
Genus-level diagnostic features
The Ampelomyia is defined by three character states: ventroapical extension on tarsomere I in ; larval abdominal segment VIII with posterodorsal lobe; and dorsally shifted pair of larval papillae.