Beech leaf gall midge

Mikiola fagi

M. fagi is classified as a major pest, local and occasional, especially on young trees in submountain and mountain zones (Skuhravá and Roques, 2000). According to the four-degree scale for evaluation of harmfulness of forest pests, M. fagi belongs in the second group that includes species which, after attack, significantly reduce the assimilation processes of the tree (Skuhravý and Skuhravá, 1996).
Beech leaf gall midge, Heeswijk-Dinther, Netherlands As the name suggests, this gal is found on leafs of beech trees, typically on the upper-side. The gall is about 1cm in size. The midge causing it is one of the largest gall midges in Europe, at 4mm. The gall changes in color as it ages, from green to red. As the leaf dries up in autumn, the gall drops to the forest floor, where the larva inside overwinters. In spring, the adults emerge and lay eggs on the buds of beech tree leafs. Beech leaf gall midge,Europe,Heeswijk-Dinther,Mikiola fagi,Netherlands,World

Appearance

Leaves of beech trees attacked by M. fagi show a marked diminution in leaf size and reduction of height and diameter growth as compared with uninfested trees. Heavy infestation of young beech trees by M. fagi may can lead to growth-inhibition due to the loss of assimilation ability (Holdheide, 1942; Paclt, 1973).

M. fagi is one of eight gall midge species which are important pests of forest trees in Europe. This information was obtained by comparative studies of 44 species of the family Cecidomyidae on 20 forest trees at 1200 localities in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria. M. fagi sometimes causes very high losses of assimilation surface of leaves (Skuhravá and Skuhravý, 1992; Skuhravý and Skuhravá, 1993; 1996).

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http://www.plantwise.org/KnowledgeBank/Datasheet.aspx?dsid=34101
Status: Unknown
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderDiptera
FamilyCecidomyiidae
GenusMikiola
Species
Photographed in
Belgium
Bulgaria
Netherlands