Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: terrestrial

Feeding Habits
Adults: nectar and pollen feeding
Immatures: phytophagous

North American
Species: 1200

Diptera Cecidomyiidae
Gall midges or gall gnats

Special Characteristics: Small slender flies with long legs. Usually long antennae and reduced wing venation.

Comments: Most of the species of Cecidomyiidae are gall makers and they form galls on all parts of the plants. The galls are usually very specific and many species can be identified by the shape of their gall. In some galls many larvae develop while in other galls there is only one larvae. The species that do not form galls feed on plants, decaying vegetation, or fungi, and a few are predaceous on other small insects.

Species:
Rhabdophaga salicisbatatas (Osten Sacken)

Common Name:
Willow gall midge

Feeding Habits: Larvae form galls on willow branches.

Distribution:
Central Canada.

Comments:
Species of Cecidomyiidae are often more easily recognized by the shape of their gall. This is a gall on a willow branch.