Lasiopteridi

Rübsaamen & Hedicke, 1926

gall midges, gall gnats

Genus Guides

21

Lasiopteridi is a supertribe of minute flies within the Cecidomyiidae. Members are commonly known as gall midges or gall gnats due to their association with plant gall formation. The supertribe comprises multiple tribes including Brachineurini, Lasiopterini, Ledomyiini, and Oligotrophini, along with several that cannot be assigned to any known tribe. have been documented inducing galls on Myrtaceae and other plant families in Neotropical regions.

Damaeus by (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas. Used under a CC-BY license.Epidermoptidae by (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cricket Raspet. Used under a CC-BY license.Psoroptidae by (c) Oleksii Vasyliuk, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Oleksii Vasyliuk. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lasiopteridi: //la.siˌɒp.təˈrɪ.dʒi//

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Identification

Identification to supertribe level requires examination of morphological characters, particularly features of the , wing venation, and genitalia. The Lasiopteridi can be distinguished from other Cecidomyiidae supertribes by specific combinations of these characters, though precise diagnostic features vary among constituent tribes. within Lasiopteridi that cannot be placed to tribe, such as Fernandesia, exhibit unique character combinations that do not align with established tribal definitions.

Images

Habitat

vary by and region. Documented occurrences include mixed broadleaf-Araucaria forest in highland regions (900 m altitude) of southern Brazil. plant associations, particularly with Myrtaceae, suggest occurrence in Cerrado, Mata Atlântica, and Pampa biomes.

Distribution

Neotropical distribution documented for multiple and . Confirmed occurrences in Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul, with plants extending to Midwest, Southeast, and South regions). Broader geographic range likely extends throughout Neotropical regions given diversity of constituent tribes and genera.

Seasonality

Gall induction activity observed from August to February in southern Brazil, based on collection records of stages. Specific timing varies by and plant .

Host Associations

  • Myrciaria delicatula - gall induction of Fernandesia meridionalis; stages develop inside galls
  • Eugenia uniflora - leaf gall induction of Eugeniamyia dispar

Life Cycle

Holometabolous development with , larva, pupa, and stages. stages develop inside plant galls. Adults emerge from galls under laboratory conditions. present in body size and genital .

Behavior

Gall induction is the primary documented . Larvae and pupae develop within plant tissue galls. Some cannot be assigned to tribes due to unique morphological character combinations.

Ecological Role

Gall inducers contribute to plant-insect interaction diversity, particularly within Myrtaceae in Neotropical regions. Galls modify plant tissue structure and may influence local .

Similar Taxa

  • Other Cecidomyiidae supertribesDistinguished by combinations of antennal, wing venation, and genital characters; Lasiopteridi specifically associated with gall formation on diverse plants including Myrtaceae

More Details

Taxonomic Uncertainty

Some within Lasiopteridi, such as Fernandesia, cannot be placed to any known tribe based on current morphological characters, indicating ongoing taxonomic refinement within the supertribe.

Systematic Composition

Contains tribes Brachineurini, Lasiopterini, Ledomyiini, and Oligotrophini, plus unplaced . Includes economically and ecologically significant genera such as Dasineura, Mayetiola, and Rhopalomyia.

Sources and further reading