A new genus and species of gall midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) from Casuarina trees in Australia

Abstract

A new species of gall midge, Ophelmodiplosis clavata Kolesik gen. et sp. nov., induces club-like galls on branchlet tips of she-oaks Casuarina glauca, C. equisetifolia and C. cunninghamiana in Australia. The presence of galls may possibly retard development of the male flower-bearing branchlets and thus restrict sexual reproduction of the host plant. A new genus is erected to contain the new species. Ophelmodiplosis belongs to the supertribe Cecidomyiidi and its closest relative is Lophodiplosis Gagné, an Australian genus containing species that cause galls on leaves, stems and buds of Melaleuca trees. The new species is considered for biological control of C. glauca, C. equisetifolia and C. cunninghamiana, which are serious weeds in the coastal USA, including Florida, Hawaii and the Caribbean.