Tumor-gall
Guides
Asphondylia atriplicis
Tumor Stem Gall Midge
Asphondylia atriplicis is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae that induces distinctive tumor-like stem galls on plants in the genus Atriplex (saltbushes). Like other Asphondylia species, the adult female deposits eggs into host plant tissue, and the developing larva stimulates the plant to form a protective gall structure that provides both shelter and nutrition. The specific epithet 'atriplicis' indicates its association with Atriplex hosts. The genus Asphondylia is notable for inducing galls on diverse plant families and for often harboring symbiotic fungi that may assist in gall formation or nutrition.