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Honeysuckle gall midge
ExploreInsects
Honeysuckle gall midge
Lonicerae lonicera
The honeysuckle gall midge is a tiny insect that makes special galls on honeysuckle plants. These galls are like little homes where the midge grows and develops, making them quite unique!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Honeysuckle gall midge is a tiny, delicate insect, typically reddish-brown to orange in color. It has a slender body, long, segmented antennae, and two pairs of clear, iridescent wings. Its small size makes it easily overlooked among honeysuckle leaves.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilyCecidomyiidaeGenusLonicerae
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A single female midge can lay hundreds of eggs, each needing its own plant home!
Honeysuckle gall midges make bumpy homes on leaves that look like tiny, twisted horns!
Some other gall midges make galls that look like fluffy cotton or even fuzzy stars!
The larva inside its plant home actually drinks the plant's special juices like a straw!
Special abilities
Ability
Plant Architect
Honeysuckle gall midge can trigger plants to grow protective 'galls' that shield its larvae because of special chemicals it injects.
Ability
Growth Wizard
Honeysuckle gall midge has the power to hijack plant cells, forcing them to create unique structures that provide food and shelter.
Ability
Hidden Home
Honeysuckle gall midge larvae can live safely inside plant galls, protected from many predators by their plant-made shell.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 2-5 mm
- Size
- 1-3 mm
- Lifespan
- 3-7 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on honeysuckle plant juices, but adult midges typically do not eat.
Age differences: Larvae consume plant tissue and sap from galls; adults typically do not feed.
Primary Foods
- Honeysuckle sap
- Honeysuckle plant cells
Ecological connections
parasitizes
Honeysuckle
Lonicera periclymenum
Larvae cause galls to form, feeding on plant tissues.
eaten by
Gall Wasp
Torymus nitens
Larvae are parasitized by wasp larvae inside the gall.
eaten by
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Great Tit
Parus major
Adult midges may be eaten by small insectivorous birds.
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.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Miniature
Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always wash your hands after touching plants or insects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Honeysuckle gall midge's wingspan?
2-5 mm
How big is Honeysuckle gall midge?
1-3 mm
How long does Honeysuckle gall midge live?
3-7 days
What does Honeysuckle gall midge eat?
Larvae feed on honeysuckle plant juices, but adult midges typically do not eat.
Where is Honeysuckle gall midge usually found?
Forests
How many legs does Honeysuckle gall midge have?
6
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