Contarinia petioli - Contarinia petioli
Species
Description
The gall midge Contarinia petioli has a larva that causes a gall to form on the petiole (stalk) of Aspen leaves. The gall is seen more often than the midge. The gall is globular or pear shaped, 3 to 8 mm across and sometimes reddens. It can occasionally occur in the stem at the junction with a petiole, and also it seems where the petiole enters the leaf.
Habitat
On Aspen.
When to see it
The gall can be seen in late summer or early autumn.
Life History
The galls contain one, or a few chambers, each with one orange larva; a circular opening develops in mature gall through which larva leave.
UK Status
Records are widely scattered in Britain but the species is little recorded.
VC55 Status
We are not aware of previous records for Leicestershire and Rutland, but this may be purely due to under recording.
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Graham Calow
Sapcote - 30 June 2012
gall where petiole joins the leaf. -
Graham Calow
Sapcote - 30 June 2012
gall where petiole joins the leaf. -
Graham Calow
Sapcote - 30 June 2012
underside
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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UK Map
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