Gall Midges or Gall Gnats

Family Cecidomyiidae

Willow gall midge (Rhabdophaga salicisbatatas). Photo:Stephanie Boucher

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. These are small slender flies with long legs, usually with long antennae and reduced wing venation.