Eyespot Gall Midge – Ocellate Gall Midge – Thecdiplosis liriodendra – Cecidomyia ocellaris

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Ocellate Gall Midge (cecidomyia ocellaris)

Latin Name: Cecidomyia ocellaris

Common Name: Ocellate gall midge, Maple eyespot gall & Maple Leaf Spot Gall.

Appearance: 

  • Acericecis ocellaris, often known as the ocellate gall midge, is a gall midge species belonging to the Cecidomyiidae family. Maple eyespot gall and maple leaf spot gall are two more names for the same thing.
  • The Ocellate Gall Midge creates brightly colored red and yellow spots that appear on the surface of maple leaves.
  • Adult ocellate gall midges are mosquito-like insects that look like other midges, notwithstanding their rarity.
  • Eggs:

Eggs are only laid on the underside of red maple leaves by the eggs fly.

  • Larva:

The larvae are 8-10 mm long. “Eyespots” are yellow with red lines forming on the leaf surface as they develop in Maple leaves.

  • Adults:

Adults are small mosquito-like flies that are 2–3 mm long. -Coloration: orange-brown

Hosts plants: 

Red maples (Acer rubrum)

Territory:

Maple eyespot gall midges may be found over the full range of red maples in the United States, as well as sections of the Central United States.

Damage caused by ocellate gall midge:

The eggs are placed on the underside of the leaves, where a freshly developed maggot will burrow through the leaf. The larvae release chemicals that cause swelling of leaf tissue directly above it called a gall. The gall’s color will turn into concentric rings of yellow and red. Limited damage is caused to trees besides the redecorating of leaves.

Gall maker’s description:

Galls are tree growths that wasps, flies have taken over, and other insects to create a casing of plant tissue that protects and supports the gall maker’s growing young. Gall-maker insects include a variety of wasps, flies, and a few aphids and mites. Most growths, except some twig and stem galls, do not affect healthy trees. Galls can develop on the leaves, bark, flowers, buds, or roots of plants. Over half of these fascinating critters are attracted to oak trees.

Life History and Habits: 

Larvae develop in leaves of maples, usually Acer rubrum (and usually in the spring). After a week in the leaf (the gall is formed), the larva drops to the ground, burrows, and pupates. Adults emerge the following spring.