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Importance: Ambrosia gall midges are endophagous insect herbivores whose larvae live enclosed within a single gall for their entire development period. They may exhibit phytomycetophagy, a remarkable feeding mode that involves the consumption of plant biomass and mycelia of their cultivated gall symbionts. Thus, AGMs are ideal model organisms for studying the role of microorganisms in the evolution of host specificity in insects. However, compared to other fungus-farming insects, insect-fungus mutualism in AGMs has been neglected. Our study is the first to use DNA metabarcoding to characterize the complete mycobiome of the entire system of the gall-forming insects as we profiled gall surfaces, nutritive mycelia, and larvae. Interestingly, larval mycobiomes were significantly different from their nutritive mycelia, although Botryosphaeria dothidea dominated the nutritive mycelia, regardless of the evolutionary separation of the tribes studied. Therefore, we confirmed a long-time hypothesized paradigm for the important evolutionary association of this fungus with AGMs., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

In insects, cuticular lipids prevent water loss and act as semiochemicals. Because of their ecological function, the profile change across the insects' sex and development offers insight into insect biology and possible tools for pest management. Here, the first work on cecidomyiid cuticular extracts is proposed considering Dasineura oleae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) males and females at different adult ages (0-12 h, 12-24 h, 24-36 h) and distinct sexual conditions (virgin and mated). A set of 49 compounds were recorded (12 alkanes, 1 monomethyl alkane, 11 fatty acids, 4 esters, 1 aldehyde, 1 allylbenzene, 1 amine, 1 flavonoid, 1 ketone, 1 phenol, 1 steradiene, 1 sterol, 1 terpene, 1 triterpene and 11 unknown compounds), and 18 of them showed significant differences between groups. Among alkanes, hexacosane (nC26) exhibited a decreasing trend from the youngest to the oldest females, while pentacosane (nC25) and nonacosane (nC29) showed a decreasing trend from 0 to 12 h to 12-24 h virgin females. In addition, nonadecane (nC19) was significantly more abundant in the youngest males compared to older males and females. The alkanes nC25, nC26 and nC29 have been reported to be age-related also in other dipterans, while nC19 has been described as gender-specific chemical cue for platygastrid parasitoids. Further behavioural trials and analyses are required to assign the specific ecological roles to the characterized compounds. Our results may contribute to develop new low-impact control strategies relying on the manipulation of D. oleae's chemical communication (e.g. disruption of mating or species recognition). HIGHLIGHTS: • Cuticular hydrocarbons are often involved in dipteran intraspecific communication. • We explored the cuticular profile of D. oleae at different age, sex, mating condition. • Five alkanes and one mono-methyl alkane showed differences among groups. • Linoleic acid is the most abundant compound in virgins, absent in mated insects. • Eleven compounds disappear in mated insects, but were present in all virgins., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

In this study, we present the first characterization of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) released from infested olive leaves. The gall midge Dasineura oleae is a specific pest of Olea europaea and endemic of the Mediterranean Basin, an area in which severe outbreaks currently occurred. Little is known about the damage caused by the pest and the relationship with its host. Since gall formation and larval feeding activity may lead to the release of specific plant volatile compounds, we investigated the volatile profiles emitted from infested plants compared with healthy plants under both laboratory and field conditions. Additionally, the volatiles emitted from mechanically damaged plants were considered. A blend of 12 volatiles was emitted from olive trees infested by D. oleae . Of these, β-copaene, β-ocimene, cosmene, unknown 1 and unknown 3 were found to be exclusively emitted in infested plants. The emission of germacrene-D, ( E , E )-α-farnesene, and ( Z , E )-α-farnesene, α-copaene, ( E )-4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triene, ( E )-β-guaiene and heptadecane significantly increased in infested trees. Linalool, β-copaen-4-α-ol, β-bourbonene, β-cubebene, β-elemene, β-copaene and δ-amorphene were found only in the field trial and showed differences depending on the level of infestation and the plant stage. ( Z )-3-Hexenol, ( E )-4-oxohen-2-enal, and 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)-ethanol, were exclusively emitted from the leaves after mechanical damage. In a field trial in Italy, we also demonstrated spring synchronization between adults of D. oleae and O. europaea trees. Analyses of morphoanatomical malformations of gall leaves showed that tissue alterations occur at the spongy parenchyma causing an increase of the leaf blade thickness. We speculate that tissue alterations may lead to HIPV release, in turn potentially attracting D. oleae natural enemies.

The swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii, is a cecidomyiid fly that feeds specifically on plants within the Brassicaceae. Plants in this family employ a glucosinolate-myrosinase defense system, which can be highly toxic to nonspecialist feeders. Feeding by C. nasturtii larvae induces gall formation, which can cause substantial yield losses thus making it a significant agricultural pest. A lack of genomic resources, in particular a reference genome, has limited deciphering the mechanisms underlying glucosinolate tolerance in C. nasturtii, which is of particular importance for managing this species. Here, we present an annotated, scaffolded reference genome of C. nasturtii using linked-read sequencing from a single individual and explore systems involved in glucosinolate detoxification. The C. nasturtii genome is similar in size and annotation completeness to that of the Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor, but has greater contiguity. Several genes encoding enzymes involved in glucosinolate detoxification in other insect pests, including myrosinases, sulfatases, and glutathione S-transferases, were found, suggesting that C. nasturtii has developed similar strategies for feeding on Brassicaceae. The C. nasturtii genome will, therefore, be integral to continued research on plant-insect interactions in this system and contribute to effective pest management strategies., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.)

Gall midges (Cecidomyiidae) constitute one of the largest and most diverse families of Diptera, with close to 6600 described species and thousands of undescribed species worldwide. The family is divided into six subfamilies, the five basal ones comprising only fungivorous taxa, whereas the largest, youngest and most diverse subfamily Cecidomyiinae includes fungivorous as well as herbivorous and predatory species. The currently accepted classification of the Cecidomyiinae is morphology-based, and the few phylogenetic inferences that have previously been suggested for it were based on fragmentary or limited datasets. In a first comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the Cecidomyiinae we sampled 142 species representing 88 genera of 13 tribes from all feeding guilds and zoogeographic regions in order to test the validity of the systematic division of the subfamily and gain insight into patterns of diversification and the evolution of feeding modes. We used sequences from five mitochondrial and nuclear genes to reconstruct maximum likelihood and Bayesian, time-calibrated phylogenies and conducted ancestral state reconstruction of feeding modes. Our results corroborate to a great extent the morphology-based classification of the Cecidomyiinae, with strong support for all supertribes and tribes, all were apparently established in the Upper Cretaceous concordant with the major radiation of angiosperms. We infer that transitions from fungus-feeding to plant-feeding occurred only once or twice in the evolution of the subfamily and that predation evolved only once, contrary to previous hypotheses. All herbivorous clades in the subfamily are very species rich and have diversified at a significantly greater rate than expected, but we found no support for the assertion that herbivorous clades associated with symbiotic fungi in their galls diversify faster than clades that do not have such associations. Currently available data also do not support the hypothesis that symbiotic clades have broader host ranges than non-symbiotic clades., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The Asphondylia prosopidis Cockrell complex with its fungal associate produces four distinct bud galls on honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa). They are considered as potential biological control agents to reduce seed production of invasive mesquites. Previous studies suggest that the complex may consist of more than one gall midge species or biotype. Therefore, before conducting host specificity tests, it is essential to understand the relationships among the gall midges in the complex. Each gall type was collected from sympatric regions in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas for four years. Here we show that midges producing each gall type were clearly separated based on phylogenetic analysis using DNA sequences in the cytochrome oxidase subunit I region. Furthermore, we confirmed that morphological differences between pupae from each gall type were discernible, although variable, using a scanning electron microscope. Based on these differences, we suggest that the A. prosopidis complex consists of four different gall midge species, three of which are cryptic species. Among them, Asphondylia species producing a barrel gall type and A. prosopidis producing the original gall type are potential biological control agents of P. glandulosa because they are multivoltine species with four to five generations per year that complete their annual life cycle exclusively on flower buds of mesquite., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii Kieffer, is an invasive cecidomyiid pest that causes serious losses of Brassica oilseed and vegetable crops in the Northeastern U.S. and Canada. Currently, few alternatives to systemic insecticides exist for its management. Because a single feeding larva can render heading Brassica crops unmarketable, management strategies that prevent oviposition are needed urgently. Pheromone-mediated mating disruption is a promising management approach for swede midge because it prevents mating and subsequent crop damage. While the swede midge pheromone has been identified, one of the major barriers to using it in mating disruption is the high cost of synthesis. Racemic blends, consisting of natural and non-natural stereoisomers, could be useful for mating disruption because they are cheaper to produce. However, it is not clear whether racemic pheromone blends attract males and/or prevent them from locating and mating with females. Here, we studied the behavior of male swede midge in Y-tube and wind tunnel bioassays to pheromone blends. Specifically, we tested whether males: (1) are attracted to different doses of pheromone, (2) discriminate between blends comprising natural stereospecific or racemic components, or a combination thereof, and (3) are able to locate and copulate with females in pheromone-permeated olfactometers. We found that picogram amounts of pheromone attracted males and prevented them from locating females in y-tube olfactometers. While males were more attracted to stereospecific blends, compared to racemic blends, all blends tested prevented nearly all males mating with females. Therefore, low dose racemic blends may be promising for pheromone-mediated mating disruption.

The predacious midge, Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani), is an effective exclusive natural enemy of aphids in greenhouses and field crops. In this study, prey preference of A. aphidimyza was determined using seven treatments including different stages (third-instar nymphs and adults) of two prey species (Aphis gossypii Glover and Myzus persicae (Sulzer)) based on Manly's β preference index. Results of experiments consisting of two different preys showed that A. aphidimyza larvae consumed A. gossypii more than M. persicae, and the third nymphal stage of both species was preferred more, compared with adults. When all four types of prey were studied, Manly's index was 0.379, 0.235, 0.208, and 0.176 for nymphs of A. gossypii and M. persicae and adults of A. gossypii and M. persicae, respectively. Therefore, the nymphs of both species, as the most preferred prey, were used to study the reproductive performance of the predator in microcosm conditions. The significantly longer adult longevity (female: 7.62 ± 0.15, male: 7.42 ± 0.23 d), higher fecundity (93.75 ± 2.94 offspring per female), and higher intrinsic rate of increase (0.175 ± 0.009 d-1) of A. aphidimyza were obtained, while consuming third-instar nymphs of A. gossypii. Finally, this study indicated that third-instar nymphs of A. gossypii are the most suitable food for mass rearing of A. aphidimyza., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Most studies of adaptive radiation in animals focus on resource competition as the primary driver of trait divergence. The roles of other ecological interactions in shaping divergent phenotypes during such radiations have received less attention. We evaluate natural enemies as primary agents of diversifying selection on the phenotypes of an actively diverging lineage of gall midges on tall goldenrod. In this system, the gall of the midge consists of a biotrophic fungal symbiont that develops on host-plant leaves and forms distinctly variable protective carapaces over midge larvae. Through field studies, we show that fungal gall morphology, which is induced by midges (i.e., it is an extended phenotype), is under directional and diversifying selection by parasitoid enemies. Overall, natural enemies disruptively select for either small or large galls, mainly along the axis of gall thickness. These results imply that predators are driving the evolution of phenotypic diversity in symbiotic defense traits in this system and that divergence in defensive morphology may provide ecological opportunities that help to fuel the adaptive radiation of this genus of midges on goldenrods. This enemy-driven phenotypic divergence in a diversifying lineage illustrates the potential importance of consumer-resource and symbiotic species interactions in adaptive radiation.

African rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzivora Harris and Gagné, is a major pest of rice in Africa. Depsite its economic importance, its chemical ecology is not well understood. Here, we assessed behavioral and electrophysiological responses of O. oryzivora to host plant volatiles. In olfactometer bioassays, mated female O. oryzivora were attracted to volatiles emitted from intact rice plants but were repelled by volatiles collected from plants infested by conspecifics. In a choice test, there was a preference for volatiles from uninfested plants over those from infested plants. Coupled gas chromatography-electroantennography analyses of panicle volatiles isolated four electrophysiologically active components: (S)-linalool, 4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, (E)-caryophyllene, and (R/S)-(E)-nerolidol. A synthetic blend of volatiles at the same concentration and ratio as that from an intact plant was attractive to mated females, whereas a blend based on the ratio of volatiles from an infested plant was repellent. This suggests that O. oryzivora uses olfaction for host plant recognition. The identification of blends of volatiles emitted by plants that can both attract and repel O. oryzivora may aid the development of sustainable control measures.

Background: Apple leaf midge, Dasineura mali (Kieffer), poses quarantine issues for some apple export markets because larvae occasionally pupate in the stem end and calyx of fruit. Pheromone-baited oil-filled containers were used in 1 ha orchard plots to trap adult male D. mali in order to test the potential for mass trapping to reduce populations., Results: Mass-trapped plots had 97% fewer adult males in pheromone traps and 48% fewer larvae per shoot in the second D. mali generation compared with untreated areas. Oil traps caught on average 900 000 D. mali per plot over 11 weeks during the second and third generations. Catches averaged 9200 per trap at plot corners. By comparison, catches were 51% lower 10-25 m away along borders, 80% lower at the midpoint of borders and 95% lower >7 m from plot edges. Fruit infestation was low (four out of 8000 apples)., Conclusion: The attractiveness of the pheromone, monophagous habit and low mobility of D. mali enhance the prospects for successful mass trapping. Countering this are high populations, multivoltinism and aspects of mating behaviour. Mass trapping would probably have been more effective had it been in place season long and conducted over successive years. It needs refinements and more study before becoming a feasible control option for D. mali., (© 2014 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Gall-inducing insects are known for altering source-sink relationships within plants. Changes in photosynthesis may contribute to this phenomenon. We investigated photosynthetic responses in wheat [Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae: Triticeae)] seedlings attacked by the Hessian fly [Mayetiola destructor (Say) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae], which uses a salivary effector-based strategy to induce a gall nutritive tissue in susceptible plants. Resistant plants have surveillance systems mediated by products of Resistance (R) genes. Detection of a specific salivary effector triggers downstream responses that result in a resistance that kills neonate larvae. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used to study maximum leaf photosynthetic assimilation and stomatal conductance rates. The plant treatments were-resistant or susceptible wheat lines expressing or not expressing the H13 resistance gene. The insect treatments were-no attack (control) or attack by larvae killed by H13 gene-mediated resistance. Photosynthesis was measured for the second and third leaves of the seedling, the latter being the only leaf directly attacked by larvae. We predicted effector-based attack would trigger increases in photosynthetic rates in susceptible but not resistant plants. For susceptible plants, attack was associated with increases (relative to controls) in photosynthesis for the third but not the second leaf. For resistant plants, attack was associated with increases in photosynthesis for both the second and third leaves. Mechanisms underlying the increases appeared to differ. Resistant plants exhibited responses suggesting altered source-sink relationships. Susceptible plants exhibited responses suggesting a mechanism other than altered source-sink relationships, possibly changes in water relations that contributed to increased stomatal conductance., (© The Authors 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Unlabelled: •, Premise of the Study: Aspidistra is a species-rich, herbaceous monocot genus of tropical Southeast Asia. Most species are recently discovered and apparently endangered, though virtually nothing is known about their biology. Species of the genus are primarily distinguished using flower morphology, which is enormously diverse. However, the pollination process has not been directly observed in the center of diversity of the genus (N Vietnam and S China). Indirect and partly direct data on the only widely cultivated species of the genus (A. elatior) placed it among angiosperms with the most unusual pollination biology, though these data are highly controversial, suggesting pollen transfer by mollusks, crustaceans, flies, or possibly tiny soil invertebrates such as collembolans.•, Methods: Pollination of Aspidistra xuansonensis in the center of diversity of the genus was studied using visual observations and videos and light and scanning electron microscopy investigation of flowers and their pollinators. Pollinators and their larvae were molecularly barcoded.•, Key Results: Aspidistra xuansonensis is pollinated by female cecidomyiid flies (gall midges). They oviposit on anthers, and larvae develop among the pollen mass. Molecular barcoding proved taxonomic identity of the larvae and the flies. The larvae neither damage floral parts nor cause gall formation, but feed on pollen grains by sucking out their content. The larvae move out of the flowers before decomposition starts. Carebara ants steal developing larvae from flowers but do not contribute to pollination.•, Conclusions: More than one kind of myiophily is present in Aspidistra. Brood site pollination was documented for the first time in Aspidistra. The pollination system of A. xuansonensis differs from other kinds of brood site pollination in the exit of the larvae prior to the decomposition of floral parts., (© 2014 Botanical Society of America, Inc.)

Galls are anomalies in plant development from parasitic origin, and affect cellular differentiation or growth of plants. This parasite-plant interaction occurs in many environments and typically in vegetative organs of plants. The existence of galls in reproductive organs and their effects on the host plant are seldom described in the literature. In this paper, we present a novel study of galls in plants of the neotropical region. Galls of Bruggmmaniella byrsonimae develop in the flower buds of Byrsonima sericea DC. (Malpighiaceae) and affect development of the reproductive organs and the reproductive effort of these plants. The sepals and petals show hypertrophy of parenchyma tissues after differentiation, and the stamens exhibit degeneration of the sporogenic tissue. The gynoecium is not entirely developed; ovary and ovules are often absent. Changes in vascular tissues are also frequent, which may indicate high demand for nutrient resources by the new tissues initiated by the larva. We compared the amount of inflorescences, galls and fruits to evaluate possible effects on host reproduction. The results suggest that the Cecidomyiidae galls in flower organs affect fruit set and the reproductive success of B. sericea., (© 2013 German Botanical Society and The Royal Botanical Society of the Netherlands.)

Cover illustration. Mayetiola destructor is a major pest of wheat in Europe, North Africa and North America. In this issue of the Journal of Morphology, Schneeberg et al. (pp. 1299-1311) investigate the adult head structures of the cecidomyiid fly and compared their findings with evolutionarily less successful families within Bibionomorpha. The cover image shows a histological cross section of the head of Mayetiola destructor (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae)., (Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Deploying resistant wheat cultivars is the most economical and environment‐friendly strategy to manage the devastating effects of the dipteran pest, Hessian fly (Hf; Mayetiola destructor). Currently, 37 Hf resistance genes have been identified to combat the 18 Hf genotypes documented so far. However, the Hf populations adapt rapidly to overcome the newly deployed resistance genes within a few years of release resulting in development of virulent Hf biotypes and breakdown of plant resistance. Identification of new and novel sources of resistance offers breeders additional resources that can be included in the breeding programmes to develop elite Hf‐resistant cultivars. In the current study, we screened 374 wheat (tetraploid and hexaploid) accessions originating from different regions of the United States and identified three tetraploid (Triticum turgidum) pasta wheat lines, one originating from North Dakota (PI 639869) and two from Minnesota (PI 352398 and CItr 15710) exhibiting ≥95% resistance to Hf biotype L at 20°C. Further, the wheat cultivar PI 352398 showed 100% resistance to six additional Hf genotypes including biotypes B, C, D, O, GP and vH13. The lines PI 639869 and CItr 15710 also showed >70% resistance with most biotypes, except against biotype GP with the former and biotype B with the latter. Interestingly, a few plants from these two cultivars exhibited putative tolerance to these biotypes where the plants showed normal growth but harboured white, live larvae and showed cell permeability that was intermediate in levels between Hf‐infested resistant and susceptible wheat. Additionally, since the increase in environmental temperatures to 25–30°C also negatively impacts Hf resistance, the three T. turgidum (PI 639869, PI 352398 and CItr 15710) cultivars were evaluated for Hf resistance at 30°C. None of the wheat cultivars were resistant to Hf biotype L at 30°C indicating a temperature‐dependent breakdown of resistance and are therefore not suitable for geographical regions with higher environmental temperatures. Taken together, these three wheat lines represent additional sources of Hf resistance that can be leveraged by breeders for developing durable elite lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reports the first finding of Macrosaccus robiniella (Clemens, 1859) (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) and Obolodiplosis robiniae Haldeman, 1847 (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) on the territory of the Voronezh State Natural Biosphere Reserve. Some features of the biology of the local M. robiniella population are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

he gall midge is the only known dipteran herbivorous insect on oak trees (with the exception of occasional opportunistic pollen feeders). The quercus gall midge is very host specific, it develops on the turkey oak (Quercus cerris). In Romania, there are 4 species of gall midges associated with Quercus spp., and recently the species Janetia cerris has been found in the urban green landscape of Timisoara. The damage caused by this species manifests itself in the appearance of conical galls on the upper side of the leaves, up to 3 mm high and light green in colour. The larvae develop inside these galls. Our investigations were carried out during 2022 – 2023 in 4 observation points in parks and green urban spaces in the city of Timișoara. During our investigation we used the same collecting method at each sample points. We noted in the protocol the geographical characteristics of biotopes and the local abundance of species. The survey indicates a high infestation level with gall midges in all 4 observation points that exceeds 70% of all analyzed samples. The attack can be recognized by the galls that appear on the upper side of the leaf, which have a sharp appearance, are about 2 mm long and lack pubescence; while on the lower side of the leaf, the gall is prominent, up to 5 mm in diameter, with long, yellow-brown hairs. Photos with larvae, galls on leaves, identification keys and brief description for this species are presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Genetic barcoding is a promising tool to identify cryptic cacao pollinators. • Dipteran pollinator diversity is higher than previously assumed. • Genetic barcoding can be used to trace individuals to their breeding habitats. • Banana pseudostems, understory weeds, decaying cacao pod husks, and cacao leaf litter are potential breeding habitats for cacao pollinators. Determining the main pollinators and the factors that control their abundance is a prerequisite for improving the production of many crops, including the globally important cash crop cacao (Theobroma cacao L.). Yet, the identity and the breeding habitats of cacao pollinators remain controversial since they are very difficult to identify morphologically due to their small size. It is known that tiny midges are involved in cacao pollination, but their diversity and ecology remain obscure. Here, we combined the collection of flower visitors, the use of emergence traps, and DNA barcoding to assess the diversity of dipteran cacao flower visitors and link them to five candidate breeding habitats in an agroforestry system in central Nicaragua. We detected 59 lineages of dipteran flower visitors, including Cecidomyiidae, Ceratopogonidae, Chironomidae, and Sciaridae, suggesting that dipteran cacao pollinator diversity may be much higher than previously assumed. Five lineages could be genetically traced back to specific breeding habitats. We conclude that the presented approach can be a promising tool to reliably delineate potential pollinator species and their breeding habitats, which can inform management strategies to promote cacao pollination. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paedogenesis is a unique reproductive mode shown only by some fungivorous gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and a coleopteran species in insects. Recently, we found various species of paedogenetic gall midges in their natural habitats, such as decayed trunks and branches on the forest floor in Japan. In this study, we established a continuous rearing technique for paedogenetic gall midges in the laboratory using Flammulina velutipes mycelia growing on potato dextrose agar (PDA) media. In addition, the effects of temperature on the paedogenetic larval development were examined for Mycophila sp. A. The generation period of one paedogenetic cycle was 5.9 days at 24°C and a mother larva produced 15–16 young larvae on average. The developmental zero and thermal constant in the paedogenetic development were estimated to be 8.3°C and 92.7 degree-days, respectively, with the traditional linear method. The laboratory rearing method established in this study is useful for studying the developmental traits of paedogenetic gall midges as well as for examining the mechanism of reproduction mode shift from a paedogenetic to holometabolic life cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larvae of Lasioptera donacis Coutin feed on fungal communities lining galleries within the mesophyll of leaf sheaths of Arundo donax in an aggregative manner. It has been stated that L. donacis could have established a fundamental symbiotic relationship with one fungus, although the fungal composition of these communities remains unsettled. Using a culture-dependent approach and ITS sequencing, the present work characterizes and compares the fungal communities associated with L. donacis in Eurasia with the endophytes of A. donax in Texas where L. donacis is absent. The 65 cultivable isolates obtained from L. donacis fungal communities were sorted into 15 MOTUs, among which Fusarium and Sarocladium predominated. No particular MOTU was systematically recovered from these communities regardless of the sites. The 19 isolates obtained in Texas were sorted into 11 MOTUs. Sarocladium and Fusarium were commonly found in Texas and Eurasia. Our finding indicate that the communities were composed of a diverse assemblage of non-systemic endophytes, rather than an exclusive fungal symbiont. From ovipositors and ovarioles of L. donacis emerging from plants in France, we opportunistically isolated the endophyte Apiospora arundinis, which lies at the origin of further research pertaining to its role in the feeding and oviposition of L. donacis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Contarinia brassicola Sinclair (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is a recently described species found infesting canola (Brassica napus L. and Brassica rapa L., Brassicaceae) in western Canada. There is concern that C. brassicola could have economic impacts on canola production. To learn about its biology, distribution, natural enemies, and potential impact, we conducted a prairie‐wide survey in western Canada and field studies using emergence cages and plant dissections between 2017 and 2019. Results of a transect‐based survey conducted in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba indicated that C. brassicola is widely distributed in western Canada. Two species of parasitic wasp were reared from C. brassicola larvae collected during the survey. We found that C. brassicola can have multiple generations per year, with the first peak of adult emergence occurring in early July with the onset of the susceptible crop stage. Adult midge and larvae may be found from June until early autumn. Midge larvae appear capable of extended diapause over multiple years. During this study, we found that C. brassicola damage was restricted to developing flowers. In the vast majority of fields surveyed, C. brassicola occurred in low population densities and was unlikely to impact yield in those fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The blueberry gall midge—Dasineura oxycoccana (Johnson) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)—is an economically important insect pest of blueberry and cranberry in its native range (USA and Canada) as well as in other parts of the world. This pest was recently introduced and spread through other regions within North America as well as in Europe and Asia, e.g., Korea. To confirm that incipient speciation might have occurred in D. oxycoccana populations associated with blueberry and cranberry as previously reported, it is necessary that approaches on population genetics are performed with a larger sample size. To identify possible routes of worldwide introductions, it is important to trace the source and invasion process of the Korean population. Therefore, we compared the population genetic structure between D. oxycoccana populations from blueberry and cranberry from USA and Korea. We found (1) a clear separation between the two host-associated D. oxycoccana populations from blueberry and cranberry, which could be considered distinct species; (2) the occurrence of five genetically isolated D. oxycoccana subgroups from blueberry; (3) that multiple D. oxycoccana introductions likely occurred in Korea; and (4) that the dominant invasive D. oxycoccana population from Korea was likely introduced from a genotypically diverse population, which was likely introduced from an unsampled source population rather than directly from its native range. We compared the population genetic structure between populations of the blueberry gall midge—Dasineura oxycoccana (Johnson) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)—from blueberry and cranberry and determined the genetic relationships among geographical subgroups by genotyping 632 individuals from 31 different populations from their native USA regions (New Jersey, Michigan, and Georgia) and from invaded Korean regions using 12 microsatellite loci. Our population genetic analyses showed a clear separation between the two host-associated D. oxycoccana populations from blueberry and cranberry. Using data from only the blueberry-associated D. oxycoccana populations, we identified five genetically isolated subgroups. An analysis of the approximate Bayesian computation suggests that the invasive D. oxycoccana population from Korea appears to have been introduced from an unsampled source population rather than directly from its native range. Our findings will allow for an easier identification of the source of D. oxycoccana into newly invaded regions, as well as to determine their association with blueberry and cranberry, which based on our results can be considered as two distinct species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the materials which recently collected from west Azerbaijan province/Iran, two genus of gall midges including Giraudiella Rübsaamen, 1915 and Stenodiplosis Reuter, 1895 and seven species of them namely, Baldratia salicorniae Kieffer, 1897; Cystiphora taraxaci (Kieffer, 1888); Dasineura plicatrix (Loew, 1850); D. teucrii (Tavares, 1903); G. inclusa (Frauenfeld, 1862); Lasioptera flexuosa (Winnertz, 1853) and S. bromicola (Marikovskii & Agafonova, 1961) are reported for the first time for Iranian fauna. In addition, the species Halodiplosis araratica Mirumian, 1991 is a new record for west Azerbaijan province' fauna. Some photos of galls on their host plants and its distribution data are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The canola flower midge, Contarinia brassicola Sinclair (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a newly-described species that induces galls on canola, Brassica napus Linnaeus and Brassica rapa Linnaeus (Brassicaceae). Identification of the sex pheromone of C. brassicola is essential to developing monitoring tools to elucidate the geographic range and hosts of this new pest, and the extent to which it threatens the $30 billion Canadian canola industry. The aim of this study was to identify and synthesize the female-produced sex pheromone of C. brassicola and demonstrate its effectiveness in attracting males to traps in the field. Two peaks were identified through GC-EAG analysis of female-produced volatiles which elicited electrophysiological responses in male antennae. These peaks were initially characterized through GC–MS and synthesis as 2,7-diacetoxynonane (major component) and 2-acetoxynonane (minor component), and the racemic compounds elicited EAG responses in male antennae. All four stereoisomers of 2,7-diacetoxynonane were synthesized and the naturally-produced compound was shown to be primarily the (2R,7S)-isomer by analysis on an enantioselective GC column, with a small amount of (2R,7R)-2,7-diacetoxynonane also present. The configuration of the minor component could not be determined because of the small amount present, but this was assumed to be (2R)-2-acetoxynonane by comparison with the configuration of the other two components. In field trials, none of the four stereoisomers of 2,7-diacetoxynonane, presented individually or as a racemic mixture, was attractive to male C. brassicola. However, dispensers loaded with a 10 µg:1 µg blend of (2R,7S)- and (2R,7R)-2,7-diacetoxynonane caught large numbers of male C. brassicola and significantly more than other blends tested. The addition of 0.5 µg of (2R)-2-acetoxynonane to this blend further increased the number of males caught. In future work, we will seek to identify the optimum trapping protocol for the application of the pheromone in monitoring and surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are a major economic problem in numerous crops, including pepper, melon, and potato. Larvae of the American hoverfly, Eupeodes americanus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Syrphidae), are common aphidophagous natural enemies in agrosystems in North America. The objective of the present study was to characterize the development cycle of E. americanus in order to evaluate its potential as a biocontrol agent. The development cycle, survival rate, and adult longevity of E. americanus were determined and compared with those of the commercial aphid midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) under laboratory conditions, using the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), as prey. The complete preimaginal development time, pupal development time, egg hatching rate, sex ratio, and survival rate were not different between E. americanus and the commercial A. aphidimyza. The larval developmental time was longer in the syrphid species, increasing the predation window. Finally, the adult longevity of the syrphid was drastically longer than that of A. aphidimyza. These results demonstrate a potential for E. americanus as a new aphidophagous biocontrol agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The orange blossom wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a significant pest of wheat (Triticum spp.) grown in the Northern Hemisphere. It was accidently introduced to North America over 200 years ago and has subsequently spread throughout the northern Great Plains. Since 2010, several Canadian spring wheat varieties containing the resistance gene Sm1 have been released. Due to the potential of wheat midge populations to evolve virulent biotypes to Sm1, cultivars containing Sm1 are grown with a susceptible cultivar in an interspersed refuge. An understanding of the genetic diversity of wheat midge populations could provide important information on the potential development of resistance to Sm1. In the current study, we used two mitochondrial genes (CO1 and ND4) from wheat midge collected across the northern Great Plains and Québec in North America to assess population structure and genetic diversity. We found limited genetic diversity and population structure across the sampled North American populations. We also assessed North American haplotype similarity to wheat midge collected from Europe and China and found high similarity between North American and European populations, although sampling in Europe was limited. This supports the hypothesis that North American populations originated from Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For identification of insect larvae occurring in galls formed on culms of Sasa kurilensis in Shiga‐kôgen, Nagano and those of Pseudosasa japonica in Takao‐san, Tokyo, we undertook a DNA barcoding analysis using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene. Seventeen operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified for larvae from Shiga‐kôgen and one for those from Takao‐san. Of 17 OTUs from Shiga‐kôgen, 10 were most likely assigned to Cecidomyiidae (Diptera), one to Anthomyzidae (Diptera), two to Lepidoptera and four to Hymenoptera. One OTU from Takao‐san was assigned in the Cecidomyiidae cluster. However, none of the OTUs was assigned to known species. It is unknown whether primary gall‐makers are included in the putative cecidomyiid, anthomyzid and lepidopteran species found in this study. However, hymenopteran species occurring in these galls would be parasitoids. How so many cecidomyiid species coexist on bamboo culms in Shiga‐kôgen is an interesting issue and remains to be resolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the citrus fruit midge, Resseliella citrifrugis Jiang (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), for the territory of the EU. This species is not included in EU Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/2072. This oligophagous species, which feeds on Citrus spp. fruits, is known to occur in China (provinces of Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi and Sichuan). First-generation adults emerge in April and oviposit on the peduncle and calyx of citrus fruits. Larvae feed on the albedo (the white layer between skin and pulp) of the fruit, which they tunnel. Infested fruit most often drop prematurely. Larvae pupate either within the fallen fruit or in the soil. This species has three main peaks of activity (May, June–July, August–September) and four generations per year in its native range. Mature larvae from the last generation are the overwintering stage. Potential entry pathways for R. citrifrugis, such as Citrus spp. plants for planting with foliage and soil/growing media, and soil/growing media can be considered as closed. The citrus fruit pathway remains open from countries where R. citrifrugis is known to occur. Indeed, this species was intercepted in fresh pomelos 11 times from December 2020 to January 2021 in the EU. Should R. citrifrugis enter the EU, the ample availability of hosts (Citrus spp.) and the climatic conditions in citrus-growing areas of southern EU Member States would most probably allow this species to successfully establish and spread. Economic impact in citrus production is anticipated if establishment occurs. R. citrifrugis satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for this species to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. There is uncertainty about the nomenclature of R. citrifrugis and its exact host range. However, because the name Resseliella citrifrugis is used in multiple sources reporting it as a pest of citrus in China, where symptoms, biology and impact are described, these uncertainties do not affect the conclusions of this categorisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the citrus fruit midge, Resseliella citrifrugis Jiang (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), for the territory of the EU. This species is not included in EU Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/2072. This oligophagous species, which feeds on Citrus spp. fruits, is known to occur in China (provinces of Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi and Sichuan). First‐generation adults emerge in April and oviposit on the peduncle and calyx of citrus fruits. Larvae feed on the albedo (the white layer between skin and pulp) of the fruit, which they tunnel. Infested fruit most often drop prematurely. Larvae pupate either within the fallen fruit or in the soil. This species has three main peaks of activity (May, June–July, August–September) and four generations per year in its native range. Mature larvae from the last generation are the overwintering stage. Potential entry pathways for R. citrifrugis, such as Citrus spp. plants for planting with foliage and soil/growing media, and soil/growing media can be considered as closed. The citrus fruit pathway remains open from countries where R. citrifrugis is known to occur. Indeed, this species was intercepted in fresh pomelos 11 times from December 2020 to January 2021 in the EU. Should R. citrifrugis enter the EU, the ample availability of hosts (Citrus spp.) and the climatic conditions in citrus‐growing areas of southern EU Member States would most probably allow this species to successfully establish and spread. Economic impact in citrus production is anticipated if establishment occurs. R. citrifrugis satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for this species to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. There is uncertainty about the nomenclature of R. citrifrugis and its exact host range. However, because the name Resseliella citrifrugis is used in multiple sources reporting it as a pest of citrus in China, where symptoms, biology and impact are described, these uncertainties do not affect the conclusions of this categorisation.

Abstract In the present study we described the structure of a trophic network composed by gall-midge species (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and their host plants in the Restinga of Barra de Maricá (Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Species data were retrieved from literature and different topological descriptors (links per species, connectance, and modularity of interactions) were used. All gall-midge species were monophages, with connectance of 2.8% of the 2,016 possible interactions. The network of host plants and gall midges had low number of links per species and high modularity, which indicates high specificity and specialization of plant-galling interactions in the area. This is the first characterization of a trophic network with good taxonomic resolution for the Neotropical gall midges.

Plants, insect herbivores and parasitoids can form tritrophic networks that are species rich and complex in interactions. In the present study, we describe the network structure of an assemblage composed of host plants, cecidomyiid gall midges and hymenopteran parasitoids in a restinga in Brazil. We used data collected between 1992 and 2011 to build plant‐galling and galling‐parasitoid networks. In total we recorded 44 species of host plants, 79 species of gall midges and 70 taxa of parasitoids. The network of host plants and gall midges was very specialized, being characterized by 79 distinct interactions, low connectance, low linkage density and high modularity. This specialized pattern is because all species of gall midges have been monophages. In contrast, galling‐parasitoid interactions were more numerous (203 distinct interactions) and were more connected, and less modular than expected based on the null model. The occurrence of generalist parasitoids (i.e. 35.7% of parasitoid species occurring on two or more hosts) is the main factor that explains this lower specialization in the galling‐parasitoid network when compared to the plant‐galling network. Our findings corroborate previous studies indicating high specialization for the interactions of gall midges with their plants but indicate a slightly smaller specialization of the parasitoids in relation to the gall midge species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thecodiplosis japonensis Uchida & Inouye, one of the most destructive pests of pine forests in Korea, has colonized and has caused serious damage in some areas in China. Effective monitoring techniques and integrated control methods based on biological control need to be further researched and developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Dzhanokmenia Kostjukov (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae), D. stefaniolae Li, Wang & Hu, sp. nov. and D. yuxuannis Li, Wang & Hu, sp. nov., are described and illustrated from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. D. stefaniolae was reared from stem-galls made by Stefaniola sp. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on black saxaul, Haloxylon ammodendron (Chenopodiaceae); D. yuxuannis was collected by sweeping from both black saxaul and white saxaul, H. persicum, in Beishawo Desert near Fukang. A key to females of all known species of Dzhanokmenia is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population genomics is a useful tool to support integrated pest management as it can elucidate population dynamics, demography, and histories of invasion. Here, we use a restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing approach combined with whole‐genome amplification (WGA) to assess genomic population structure of a newly described pest of canola, the diminutive canola flower midge, Contarinia brassicola. Clustering analyses recovered little geographic structure across the main canola production region but differentiated several geographically disparate populations at edges of the agricultural zone. Given a lack of alternative hypotheses for this pattern, we suggest these data support alternative hosts for this species and thus our canola‐centric view of this midge as a pest has limited our understanding of its biology. These results speak to the need for increased surveying efforts across multiple habitats and other potential hosts within Brassicaceae to improve both our ecological and evolutionary knowledge of this species and contribute to effective management strategies. We additionally found that use of WGA prior to library preparation was an effective method for increasing DNA quantity of these small insects prior to restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing and had no discernible impact on genotyping consistency for population genetic analysis; WGA is therefore likely to be tractable for other similar studies that seek to randomly sample markers across the genome in small organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chañar (Geoffroea decorticans- Fabaceae) is a tree from South America that is normally infected with galls originated by insects. One of its parasites is Allodiplosis crassa (Cecidomyiidae, Diptera) which produces globular galls with sticky prolongations. Since this plant has medicinal uses in Argentina, its infestation could alter the quality of the plant drug. The surface of insect-induced galls usually contains defensive features such as trichomes, increased hardness and an increase in the content of polyphenolic compounds. The objective of this research is to assess the structural and histochemical features of the gall and to compare the content of polyphenolic metabolites in the gall, in the healthy leaf and in lignified stems of G. decorticans. The methanolic extract from the galls showed the highest amount of polyphenolic and proanthocyanidins and the lowest amount of hydroxycinnamic derivatives and flavonoids compared to the methanolic extract of the leaves. The photographs taken from the external surface of the gall showed that some prolongations have heads. The histochemical analysis showed that the prolongations have a high amount of proanthocyanidins and flavonoids; and that the heads are reactive to Sudan III. These phytochemical and histological characteristics may have a defensive role against harmful fungi and parasites that attack the larvae of the A. crassa. The results of this study show the presence of defensive features in an insect-induced gall of a medicinal plant with potential implications in the pharmacological activity of this species. This is the first report of a histochemical and phytochemical study in G. corticans galls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melaleuca quinquenervia (hereafter melaleuca) was until recently one of the worst ecological invaders in Florida. Introduced for horticulture and levee stabilisation during the early twentieth century, melaleuca spread to cover vast areas of the largest freshwater wetlands ecosystem in North America, The Everglades. From 1997 until 2008, four insects and an associated nematode were approved and released for control of melaleuca, three of which are known to have established. Biological control is frequently a slow and incremental process, but with the integration of complimentary control methods (e.g. chemical and mechanical removal), melaleuca infestations are a fraction of their former range. These few persistent infestations are facilitated by conditions that prevent one species, Oxyops vitiosa, the melaleuca snout weevil, from completing its life cycle, which prompted the testing of and application to release Lophodiplosis indentata (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). This leaf gall forming midge feeds within pea-shaped growths distributed throughout the canopy. No-choice host range tests suggest that L. indentata will occasionally oviposit on unsuitable host plants, but gall induction and formation is only accomplished on M. quinquenervia. A petition for the release of L. indentata was recommended by TAG in May 2020. [word count: 181] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) comprise a diverse family of small nematoceran flies. While most species are phytophagous, the family also includes predatory species, and endoparasitoids. Endoparasitic species have been reared from aphids and psyllids. We discovered parasitoid-infected weaver ant, Oecophylla longinoda (Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in nests on mango trees in coastal Kenya. Examination of 5 colonies revealed the presence of parasitoids in all of them, with parasitism rates ranging from 2 to 21%. Morphological examination of larval parasitoids indicated that they were gall midges, and molecular data were consistent with the identification. Attempts to rear adults were unsuccessful. This study presents to the best of our knowledge the first report of Cecidomyiidae parasitising Hymenoptera, as well as the first report of a parasitoid of weaver ants. This species should be investigated further because its damage may limit the ability of weaver ants to control pests of cultivated fruits and other insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is expected that environmental conditions impact the distribution of galls on host plants. Moreover, insects may induce their galls randomly or choose certain parts of a host to induce such growths. This study aimed to determine whether or not the gall midge, Hartigiola annulipes (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), which induces galls on leaves of the European beech (Fagus sylvatica), prefers leaves facing a particular cardinal direction. In addition, we wanted to ascertain whether the galls are evenly spread across three leaf zones: proximal, median and distal, distinguished by dividing leaf area along the midrib. The results show that H. annulipes chose leaves facing various directions in different studied locations, and leaf choice is not restricted to the specific leaf area, a parameter that accurately reflects the light conditions of leaf growth. Moreover, the medial leaf zone was preferred, while the distal zone was avoided. The choice of the leaf zone modified the distance between the mid-rib and a gall. Gall distribution in the crown of trees is probably random, while at the leaf level, it is determined by leaf morphology.

Five species of gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) were found during investigations in the Kerman province in the years 2010-2016. Two of these, Xerephedromyia bipartita Mamaev, 1972 and Xerephedromyia mitroshinae Fedotova, 1992, causing galls on Ephedra major (Ephedraceae), were recorded for the first time from Iran. Both species are very rare and have not been found since the time of their original description. Rhopalomyia efremovi (Fedotova, 1999), Rhopalomyia hispanica Tavares, 1904 and Rhopalomyia navasi Tavares, 1904, causing galls on various species of Artemisia (Asteraceae), already known to occur in north-eastern and central Iran, were recorded for the first time in the Kerman provin

Mariner-like elements (MLEs) are widespread Class II transposable elements in insects that are subdivided into several subfamilies. In the current study, we carried out in silico analysis and in vitro experiments to identify MLEs belonging to the irritans subfamily in two cecidomyiid flies, Mayetiola destructor and M. hordei. In silico investigation of M. destructor genome allowed the identification of 25 irritans-like elements, which were mostly defective due to several mutations. These defective forms might be the remnants of active elements that ancestrally invaded the host genome. Structural analyses, including signature motifs and transposase-encoding ORFs, revealed structural heterogeneity and the presence of two full length copies. Five consensuses, reflecting the probable evolutionary groups of these elements, were constructed, based on a similarity matrix. The first consensus (Maymarcons1) belonged to Himar1-like elements reported in other insects, while the remaining four (Maymarcons2 to 5) seemed to be more specific to Cecidomyiidae. Moreover, the presence of elements belonging to the Maymarcons4 group was ascertained by PCR amplification, in both Mayetiola species, and was further identified in the Transcriptome Shotgun Assembly (TSA) of the orange fly, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Cecidomyiidae), suggesting the existence of irritans elements within the Cecidomyiidae, which were derived from an ancestral species by vertical transmission during speciation. On the other hand, consensuses that are specific to M. destructor could be derived from a more recent invasion. This study suggests that both M. destructor and M. hordei genomes have been invaded by irritans elements many times with at least two different evolutionary histories.