Hackberry Aciculate Gall Midge
ExploreInsects
Hackberry Aciculate Gall Midge
celticecis aciculata
The Hackberry Aciculate Gall Midge is a tiny insect that loves to live on hackberry trees! They create little bumps called galls on the leaves where they make their homes.
Habitat: Hackberry trees in forests and urban areas.
Appearance
The Hackberry Aciculate Gall Midge is a tiny, mosquito-like fly, typically brown or gray. It has translucent wings and a delicate body, making it hard to spot without careful observation, unlike the spiky galls it creates.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilyCecidomyiidaeGenusCelticecis
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Each midge species often creates its own unique gall shape and size!
Imagine a tiny fly that can tell a giant tree exactly how to grow a spiky house!
Sometimes, a single hackberry leaf can be covered with hundreds of tiny midge galls!
These amazing galls protect the midge larvae inside from hungry predators!
Special abilities
Ability
Gall Architect
Hackberry Aciculate Gall Midge can manipulate hackberry trees to grow protective galls, creating a safe nursery for its larvae.
Ability
Chemical Communicator
Hackberry Aciculate Gall Midge has specialized chemicals that trick host trees into forming its unique, spiky leaf galls.
Ability
Precision Egg-Layer
Hackberry Aciculate Gall Midge can precisely lay eggs onto specific hackberry leaf tissues to ensure proper gall formation.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 2-5 mm
- Size
- 1-3 mm
- Lifespan
- 200-300 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on hackberry leaf tissue, while adults typically do not feed during their short lives.
Age differences: Larvae feed on plant tissue; adults have vestigial mouthparts and may not feed.
Primary Foods
- Hackberry leaf tissue
- Hackberry sap
- Plant cells
Ecological connections
depends on
Common Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis
larvae feed and develop within its induced leaf galls.
eaten by
Gall Wasp
Torymus tubicola
wasp larvae parasitize midge larvae within the protective gall.
eaten by
Carolina Chickadee
Poecile carolinensis
chickadees may peck open galls to extract the developing larvae.
eaten by
European Garden Spider
Araneus diadematus
adult midges are sometimes caught in spiderwebs while flying.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Gall MidgeHackberry Gall MidgeHackberry Midge
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hackberry Aciculate Gall Midge's wingspan?
2-5 mm
How big is Hackberry Aciculate Gall Midge?
1-3 mm
How long does Hackberry Aciculate Gall Midge live?
200-300 days
What does Hackberry Aciculate Gall Midge eat?
Larvae feed on hackberry leaf tissue, while adults typically do not feed during their short lives.
Where is Hackberry Aciculate Gall Midge usually found?
Hackberry trees in forests and urban areas.
How many legs does Hackberry Aciculate Gall Midge have?
6
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