Resseliella clavula

(Beutenmüller, 1892)

Dogwood Club Gall Midge, Dogwood Clubgall Midge

Resseliella clavula is a gall midge in the Cecidomyiidae that induces distinctive club-shaped galls on flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). The is known to alter plant and architecture, causing infested trees to produce more flowers but fewer fruits. Galled branches exhibit increased branching and shortened internodes compared to ungalled branches.

Resseliella clavula by (c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick. Used under a CC-BY license.

Resseliella clavula larva by Bill Sheehan. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Resseliella clavula gall by Northcut. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Resseliella clavula: /rɛˌsɛliˈɛl.la kləˈvu.la/

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

Identification

Distinguished by its association with characteristic club-shaped galls on flowering dogwood branches. The galls are succulent and tender when young, with visible latex ooze. are small, delicate typical of Cecidomyiidae. Larvae are likely small and maggot-like, though specific morphological details for this are not documented in available sources.

Images

Habitat

Associated with flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) in forested and ornamental settings where this tree occurs.

Distribution

Eastern North America, corresponding to the range of its plant Cornus florida.

Seasonality

Galls are visible and succulent in early summer; observations from Missouri indicate June activity for gall formation.

Host Associations

Cornus florida - flowering dogwood; induces club-shaped galls on branches

Behavior

Induces gall formation on flowering dogwood branches. Gall formation leads to architectural changes in branches, including increased branching and shortened internodes. The manipulates host plant , causing increased flower production but decreased fruit set in infested trees.

Ecological Role

Acts as a gall-forming herbivore that modifies plant growth and reproductive output. Creates gall tissue that may provide for other organisms, though specific or for this are not documented.

Human Relevance

Considered an ornamental pest of flowering dogwood, a popular landscape tree. The galls are conspicuous but do not typically kill trees.

Similar Taxa

Resseliella maximaCongeneric soybean gall midge that also forms galls on plant stems, but on soybean (Glycine max) rather than dogwood; galls are not club-shaped
Callirhytis clavulaUnrelated cynipid with similar-sounding specific epithet; forms hard oak galls later in the season, not succulent dogwood galls

More Details

Research Context

Most detailed ecological information comes from a 1996 Oikos study on plant effects. The has received less recent research attention compared to the congeneric soybean gall midge R. maxima, which has become a significant agricultural pest.