Terellia tussilaginis

Description

The gall fly Terellia tussilaginis is mainly pale greeny yellow in colour with distinctive brown banding on its wings.

The larva form galls in the achenes of Burdock (Arctium) flowerheads; the achene is swollen with a tiny entrance hole near the top and larger hole at base blocked by debris.  Pale-brown puparia are in the old flowerheads over winter

Similar Species

Tephritis bardanae also galls burdock

Identification difficulty

Adult Gall

Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Habitat

Around Burdock.

When to see it

June to August.

Life History

The larvae feed on Burdock and cause galls to form.

UK Status

Fairly frequent and widespread in southern Britain at least.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Flies
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Tephritidae
Records on NatureSpot:
38
First record:
23/07/2010 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
10/08/2023 (Nicholls, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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