Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Honeylocust Pod Gall Midge
Dasineura gleditchiae (Osten Sacken)

Hanson, T., and E. B. Walker. [n.d.] Field guide to common insect pests of urban trees in the Northeast. Waterbury, VT: Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

Diptera: Cecidomyiidae Host: Honeylocust Evidence: Look for the development of pod galls as leaflets expand. From a distance, leaflets may appear deformed or dried up, but closer examination reveals swollen, globular galled tissue (a).

a. Larvae of the Honeylocust pod gall midge feed on newly-emerging leaves, prohibiting them from developing normally and initiating formation of pod-like galls.

Life Cycle: There are several generations a year. The dainty adult flies become active at budbreak, laying their eggs in developing leaflets. The larvae (maggots) initiate pod gall development on leaflets, which turn brown and drop from the tree. New adults emerge from the galls, laying eggs of subsequent generations.

Management: Destruction of pod galls that fall to the ground can reduce the midge population. When midges are present in high numbers, a residual insecticide applied at budbeak may be effective.

Photo Credits:

Figure a: E. Bradford Walker, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, Waterbury, VT.

References:

Drooz, A.T. 1985. Insects of Eastern Forests. USDA Forest Service Miscellaneous Publication 1426. p 442;

Johnson, W.T. and Lyon, H.H. 1991. Insects That Feed on Trees and Shrubs. 2nd edition. Cornell University Press. p 466-467.

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