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Thistle Stem Gall Fly

Urophora cardui

The Thistle Stem Gall Fly is a tiny insect that makes special bumps called galls on thistle plants. These galls are like cozy homes for the fly's babies to grow in!

Hábitat: Grasslands

Aspecto

The Thistle Stem Gall Fly is a small fly with a dark, robust body, often appearing brownish-black. Its most distinctive feature is its wings, which are patterned with dark bands and clear spots, giving them a mottled, checkered look. This wing pattern helps distinguish it from other small flies.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloArthropodaClaseInsectaOrdenDipteraFamiliaTephritidaeGéneroUrophora
Thistle Stem Gall Fly
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Thistle Stem Gall Fly

Categoría

Insectos

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

Baby gall flies munch their way out of their plant home when grown!

Each thistle gall can hold several baby flies growing safely inside!

Scientists sometimes use these flies to help control invasive thistles!

Their nurseries are actually bumps growing right on a thistle stem!

Habilidades especiales

Habilidad

Gall Architect

Thistle Stem Gall Fly larvae can create sturdy plant galls that shelter and feed them as they grow.

Habilidad

Plant Persuader

Thistle Stem Gall Fly injects special chemicals that trick thistle plants into growing protective galls.

Medidas y detalles

Envergadura
6-10 mm
Tamaño
3-5 mm
Esperanza de vida
10-30 días
Cantidad de patas
6

Dieta y alimentación

Adult flies sip plant nectar, while their larvae feast on the nourishing insides of thistle stems.

Diferencias por edad: Adults consume liquid sugars, while larvae feed on solid plant tissue within galls.

Alimentos principales

  • nectar
  • honeydew
  • thistle stem tissue

Conexiones ecológicas

eats

Canada Thistle

Cirsium arvense

Larvae consume stem tissue, forming galls for shelter and food.

parasitizes

Thistle Gall Wasp

Eurytoma robusta

The wasp lays eggs in the gall, and its larvae eat the fly larvae.

eaten by

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

Birds may pick open galls to eat the fly larvae inside.

Rasgos

También conocido como

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Colecciones

Seguridad

Peligro

1/5 · Muy bajo

Don't touch the galls without asking an adult, as they are part of the plant's life.

Preguntas frecuentes

¿Cuál es el envergadura de Thistle Stem Gall Fly?

6-10 mm

¿Cuál es el tamaño de Thistle Stem Gall Fly?

3-5 mm

¿Cuál es el esperanza de vida de Thistle Stem Gall Fly?

10-30 días

¿Qué come Thistle Stem Gall Fly?

Adult flies sip plant nectar, while their larvae feast on the nourishing insides of thistle stems.

¿Dónde se encuentra normalmente Thistle Stem Gall Fly?

Grasslands

¿Cuál es el cantidad de patas de Thistle Stem Gall Fly?

6

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