Craneiobia tuba

Identified by the presence of its characteristic galls on dogwood leaves. The galls are elongated cylinders on leaf midribs or veins, hairy, and typically red or green. Confirmed by association with specific Cornus host species.

Found in habitats supporting its host dogwood species, including riparian areas, woodlands, and shrublands where Cornus amomum, C. drummondii, C. racemosa, or C. sericea occur.

Recorded from Vermont and other parts of the United States; distribution corresponds to range of host dogwood species.

Adults active in spring when dogwood leaves unfold. Eggs and early larvae present before gall formation. Galls form by summer. Larvae emerge in late fall to overwinter underground.

Larvae feed on plant tissue within galls induced on dogwood leaves. Specific adult feeding habits not documented.

• Cornus amomum - induces galls
• Cornus drummondii - induces galls
• Cornus racemosa - induces galls
• Cornus sericea - induces galls

Adult females deposit eggs on unfolding dogwood leaves in spring. Larvae induce gall formation, with distinct chambers housing individual larvae. Four instars completed within galls. Larvae emerge in late fall, descend to ground, and overwinter in cocoons buried in soil.

Females lay eggs specifically on unfolding leaves in spring. Larvae induce localized plant growth forming protective galls.

Gall formation creates specialized microhabitats. Galls and pre-gall stages are parasitized by platygastrid wasps.

No documented economic or medical significance. Of interest to entomologists studying gall-forming insects and plant-insect interactions.

• Other Cecidomyiidae on CornusOther gall midges may form galls on dogwoods; distinguished by gall morphology (long cylindrical, hairy, on midribs/veins) and specific host associations.

• gall midge
• Cecidomyiidae
• gall-former
• dogwood
• Cornus
• parasitoid
• Platygasteridae

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Oecanthidae | Beetles In The Bush