Lopesiini

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Infraorder: Bibionomorpha
Superfamily: Sciaroidea
Family: Cecidomyiidae
Subfamily: Cecidomyiinae
Supertribe: Cecidomyiidi
Tribe: Lopesiini

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lopesiini: //loʊˌpeɪˈsaɪ.ɪˌnaɪ//

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

Images

Galmug1 by Ceinturion. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Obolodiplosis robiniae 149327192 by SK53. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Obolodiplosis robiniae (Cecidomyiidae) (Locust gall midge) - (gall), Molenhoek, the Netherlands by

This image is created by user B. Schoenmakers at Waarneming.nl, a source of nature observations in the Netherlands.
. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Obolodiplosis robiniae 102995868 by Stephen James McWilliam. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Obolodiplosis robiniae (Cecidomyiidae) - (gall), Elst (Gld), the Netherlands by

This image is created by user B. Schoenmakers at Waarneming.nl, a source of nature observations in the Netherlands.
. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Obolodiplosis robiniae 2254 by Gilles San Martin. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

The tribe Lopesiini consists of 31 species identified primarily in tropical regions. They are plant feeders and are characterized by a variety of morphological traits, though their classification remains uncertain due to insufficient sampling.

Physical Characteristics

General robustness; reductions in size and circumfila of male flagellomeres; extra teeth on the tarsal claws of some species; numerous short, sensory ventral setae on the female cerci. Known larvae have diminutive terminal papillae with two or more pairs bearing tiny corniform setae.

Identification Tips

Distinguished from other tribes by morphological features such as male genitalia characteristics and antennal segment number.

Habitat

Mainly tropical regions; specific habitats related to plant hosts for feeding.

Distribution

Primarily tropical, although exact distribution ranges are not fully known due to limited sampling.

Diet

All species are plant feeders, with some also exhibiting fungivorous behavior.

Life Cycle

Lifecycle details are not explicitly documented, but likely involve larval development on host plants.

Reproduction

Reproduction mechanisms are not specifically detailed.

Predators

Predation information is not provided; likely subject to generalist insect predators.

Ecosystem Role

Role in ecosystems is primarily as herbivores; may impact plant populations as gall inducers.

Evolution

Cecidomyiinae is monophyletic and distinguished by specific morphological traits.