Caryomyia inflata Gagne, new species

Hosts: Carya pallida, tomentosa, laciniosa, glabra, ovata

Gall (Figs. 5a, 102-103): Occasional, on Eucarya hickories, but not found on Atlantic side of Appalachians NE of central Georgia (Map 2); usually clustered, on lower leaf surface between veins; 2.2-4.0 mm in height, obconic, the apical cap convex early, becoming flat or slightly depressed at maturity, with central umbo; green, occasionally red, turning gray or brown with age, smooth, hairless, not sticky; base tapered to conical pedicel, leaf with slight exfoliation around connection forming short, tubular socket and on reverse side showing discolored convexity; inside are a basal ovoid larval chamber and apical, equal-sized to larger and much broader, closed, false chamber, the basal larval chamber separated from apical chamber by thin wall with central umbo, walls thin, elastic at first, becoming brittle, both chambers longitudinally striate. This gall is most similar to that of C. tumida. The two are similarly shaped except that the gall of C. tumida is completely covered with short, decumbent hair.

Affinities. — This species and C. tumida come from similarly shaped, two-chambered galls, but that of C. inflata is smooth, the other thickly covered with short, decumbent hairs. Beyond that, the galls have certain similarities to that of C. asteris. Although the latter gall is not two-chambered, second instars of all three species have setose dorsal and pleural papillae. The rays of the C. asteris gall may indicate some midpoint development of a strictly two-chambered gall.

Biological note. — Pupae emerge from a hole at the base of the gall next to the leaf connection.

Range: AL, CT, GA, IL, IN, KY, ME, MA, MS, NJ, MY, OH, TN, WV

- Raymond J. Gagne: (2008) The Gall Midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) of Hickories (Juglandaceae: Carya)^©

Reference: https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/38636615#page/56/mode/1up