Putoniella pruni

Putoniella pruni is a small gall midge that causes a gall on Blackthorn and other Prunus species.

Adult Gall

Look for it in places with a lot of Blackthorn.

Adult in April and May but the gall is more likely to be seen than the adult midge.

Larvae cause pouch or pocket-shaped swellings usually along the mid vein on leaves of various species of Prunus, but particularly on Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa). This swelling often reddens. Fully developed larvae drop to the soil and overwinter in the ground.

Uncommon to rare - only two sites in Britain previously listed, one in Surrey and one in the west.

First record for VC55 (Leicestershire and Rutland).