Aciurina bigeloviae

(Cockerell, 1890)

Cotton-gall Tephritid

Aciurina bigeloviae is a gall-inducing tephritid fly native to western North America that forms distinctive white, woolly 'cotton' galls on Ericameria nauseosa (rabbitbrush), specifically the variety graveolens. The was originally described as Trypeta bigeloviae by Cockerell in 1890. It exhibits Type I wing pattern and produces spherical cotton galls that serve as microhabitats for complex . The species is sister to A. trixa, with which it occurs sympatrically in New Mexico, though the two species produce markedly different gall types.

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Pronunciation

How to pronounce Aciurina bigeloviae: /ˌeɪsɪˈjʊərɪnə bɪˌɡɛloʊˈvaɪ.iː/

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Identification

Distinguished from the sympatric sister Aciurina trixa by gall : A. bigeloviae produces white, woolly spherical 'cotton' galls, while A. trixa forms resinous, waxy 'smooth' galls. Distinguished from A. luminaria by wing pattern (Type I versus Type III) and gall shape (spherical versus teardrop). Gall association with Ericameria nauseosa var. graveolens provides additional diagnostic context.

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Habitat

Associated with Ericameria nauseosa (rabbitbrush) shrubs in western North America; specifically linked to E. n. subsp. nauseosa var. graveolens. Galls form on plant stems.

Distribution

Western North America; documented from New Mexico (northern and central regions, 14 sites sampled), Colorado, United States, and Canada.

Host Associations

  • Ericameria nauseosa subsp. nauseosa var. graveolens - gall induction Specific variety of rabbitbrush on which galls are induced

Life Cycle

flies emerge from galls; larva develops within gall through the fall. has been documented in laboratory rearing conditions.

Behavior

Induces gall formation by laying on plant buds; the developing gall serves as the larval microhabitat. Acts as an engineer by creating novel plant structures that support diverse .

Ecological Role

engineer that maintains large, rich, multi-trophic . Galls serve as for 24 documented across 6 guilds including , , and . The associated community is richer and more complex than other documented Tephritidae-Asteraceae galling systems.

Similar Taxa

  • Aciurina trixaSister occurring in sympatry; distinguished by resinous, waxy 'smooth' gall versus the white woolly 'cotton' galls of A. bigeloviae
  • Aciurina luminariaDistinguished by Type III wing pattern (versus Type I in A. bigeloviae) and teardrop-shaped cotton galls (versus spherical)

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Sources and further reading