Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (adults)
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 Semudobia betulae (Cecidomyiidae) is active!
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| Sundew |
Posted on 22-04-2012 19:12
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 Member Location: Berlin and Baden-Württemberg, Germany Posts: 3939 Joined: 28.07.07 |
Hello, In these days it pays to check female birch catkins, as many females of Semudobia cf. betulae are ovipositing there. Of the three species ocurring in Germany, S. tarda is said to prefer Betula pubescens, which we don't have in our green area. Our Silver Birches (B. pendula) are host to S. betulae, which oviposits into the ovaries, and S. skuhravae, which oviposits into the bracts (see the interesting paper by Roskam 1977 under http://biostor.or...ence/49883). As far as I can see, S. betulae is the better candidate for our midges. The midges are accompanied by numerous tiny black wasps that are their parasites. They oviposit after the flies have done their work. They belong to the Chalcidoid family Eulophidae (Tetrastichinae) and probably to genus Aprostocetus. The lowermost pictures show an ovipositing wasp as well as an aphid for size comparison. It is very interesting to watch the animals, and I'd like to share these pictures to all who have no birches around. BTW, there is an older thread (http://www.dipter...d_id=20693) in which I asked for confirmation without a reply. Now I hope the Roskam paper has settled the case. Regards, Sundew Sundew attached the following image:  [168.27Kb] Edited by Sundew on 22-04-2012 19:13 |
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