Contarinia zauschneriae

(Felt, 1912)

California fuchsia gall midge

Contarinia zauschneriae is a gall midge that induces distinctive roselle-form bud galls on Epilobium canum (California fuchsia), a flowering plant native to western North America. The species was first described by Ephraim Felt in 1912 based on specimens collected in the Puente Hills near Whittier, California. The galls are structurally complex, mimicking rosebuds in both form and coloration.

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Pronunciation

How to pronounce Contarinia zauschneriae: /kɒnˌtæɹɪˈniːə zaʊʃˈnɪəriːeɪ/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

The is identified primarily by its -specific galls on Epilobium canum. The galls are roselle-form bud galls approximately 25 mm high and 15 mm in diameter, with red coloration on the upper half and green-yellow at the base, resembling a rosebud.

Images

Habitat

Associated with Epilobium canum (California fuchsia), which grows in dry, rocky slopes and chaparral of western North America.

Distribution

Western North America. The type locality is the Puente Hills near Whittier, California. The plant Epilobium canum ranges from Oregon to Baja California and east to Utah and Arizona.

Diet

Larvae feed on gall tissue induced on Epilobium canum. Specific feeding habits are not documented.

Host Associations

Epilobium canum - gall inductionInduces roselle-form bud galls on this plant. Formerly placed in Zauschneria, which gives the its epithet.

Life Cycle

The complete has not been documented for this . As a gall midge, it presumably has , larval, pupal, and stages with larval development occurring within the gall tissue.

Ecological Role

Acts as a gall-former on Epilobium canum, creating specialized plant structures that provide shelter and nutrition for larval development. The ecological impact on plant has not been quantified.

Similar Taxa

Contarinia nasturtiiAnother Contarinia that forms galls, but on Brassicaceae (cole crops) rather than Onagraceae. The plant association distinguishes these species.
Other Contarinia speciesMany Contarinia are gall-formers with narrow specificity. Accurate identification requires examination of host plant and gall .

More Details

Nomenclature note

The specific epithet 'zauschneriae' references the former generic name Zauschneria for the plant, now classified as Epilobium canum.

Type specimen

The type series was collected by Ephraim Porter Felt on September 24, 1910, in the Puente Hills, near Whittier, Los Angeles County, California.