
Gall Midge - Asteromyia carbonifera
Females lay eggs on the underside of goldenrod leaves (Solidago sp.). The development from egg to adult takes 4-5 weeks, and there are several generations per year.
The galls are flat and circular. They contain a symbiotic fungus, Botryosphaeria dothidea, which the larvae does not eat. The fungus confers some protection against parasitoid wasps. The females carry spores of the fungus.
This photo shows the inside of a one of the galls.
Similar species: True Flies
By Christine Young
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Uploaded Jun 23, 2018. Captured Jun 21, 2018 12:16 in 70 East St, Litchfield, CT 06759, USA.