Winnertzia

Identification of Winnertzia species relies heavily on male genitalia morphology, particularly gonostylar claws and gonocoxal emarginations. DNA barcoding using COI sequences has been employed to refine species concepts and distinguish cryptic species. The W. setosa group is characterized by conspicuously long and exposed gonostylar claws and dense, large setae bordering the gonocoxal emargination.

Found in diverse geographic regions and habitats sampled using Malaise traps. Larval development occurs in soil, fungal mycelium, under decaying bark of coniferous trees, in fruiting bodies of wood fungi, and in corms of Colchicum speciosum.

Sweden (93 species documented), Peru (first Neotropical record: W. panguana), Tasmania/Australia (first Australasian record: W. warraensis). Additional records from Norway.

Mycophagous; larvae feed on fungal mycelium and fruiting bodies of wood fungi.

• fungal mycelium - larval development and feedingprimary substrate
• fruiting bodies of wood fungi - larval development and feeding
• decaying bark of coniferous trees - larval habitat
• corms of Colchicum speciosum - larval development

Larvae develop in soil, fungal substrates, and plant material associated with decay. Specific pupation sites and adult longevity have not been documented.

Decomposer; contributes to nutrient cycling through mycophagy.

• ParwinnertziaFormerly recognized as a distinct genus, but synonymized with Winnertzia based on morphological and molecular evidence. Species previously assigned to Parwinnertzia are now recombined into Winnertzia.

• gall midges
• mycophagous
• fungus-feeding
• Cecidomyiidae
• Porricondylinae
• Winnertziinae
• Winnertziini
• soil fauna
• decomposer

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Reevaluation of species richness in Winnertzia (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae, Winnertziinae), with descriptions of 37 new species from Sweden, Peru and Australia