A New Species of Gall Midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) from Subterranean Stem Galls of Licania michauxii (Chrysobalanaceae) in Florida

Authors

Raymond Gagne, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
Kenneth Hibbard, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

1996

Citation

Florida Entomologist (September 1996) 79(3)

Comments

United States government work

Abstract

A new species of gall midge is described from subterranean stem galls on Licania michauxii Prance from Florida. The gall former is a new species of Lopesia and the first record of this genus in North America. The limits of Lopesia, a genus previously recorded only from South America and Africa, are enlarged to accept the new species. The species is described and illustrated. The pupa of this species is unique in Cecidomyiidae for its large, robust, dorsal abdominal spines that may be used in pushing through sandy soil after leaving the gall.