Gall-gnats

Guides

• Cecidomyiinae

  gall midges, gall gnats

  Cecidomyiinae is the largest subfamily in Cecidomyiidae, comprising over 600 genera and more than 5,000 described species. The subfamily exhibits remarkable ecological diversity: approximately 75% of species are herbivorous, many inducing galls on plants, while others are fungivores, predators, or parasitoids. Gall-inducing species attack a wide diversity of host plants worldwide and represent the most ecologically diverse gall-inducing group of organisms. Members can be distinguished from other Cecidomyiidae by characters of the male genitalia, antennal segment number, and larval abdominal bristles.

  gall-midgesgall-gnatsCecidomyiidaeDipteraplant-gallsbiological-controlagricultural-pestspollinatorsparasitoidspredatorsfungivoresherbivoresworldwide-distribution