These insects (Cecidomyiidae) are widespread worldwide with about 6,000 species. The body length is 0.5 to 4 millimetres, in a few up to 8 millimetres. The body is usually yellow-orange, ochre, light or dark red to almost black. They spend almost their whole life in the larval stage. The larvae of almost all species live monophagous (narrow food spectrum) on only one plant species. The fully developed mosquitoes only live for a short time and hardly take up any food. In Europe, the species leaf gall midge (Cecidomyia oenophila) and the vine flower gall midge (Contarinia viticola) are among the vine pests. The females bore the underside of the leaves and the flower stems and lay their eggs. The hatched two millimetre larvae live in the formed eponymous gall. The vine blossom gall midge lays its eggs in the still closed blossom systems. They do not normally need to be fought, as they are infested by parasites (e.g. chalcid wasps).
However, there are also some polyphagous feeding predatory species (broad food spectrum). The larvae of the species Aphidoletes aphidimyza feed mainly on aphids and Spinnspider mitesmites.These are partlyusedasbeneficial insects within theframework ofbiological plant protectionBiological plant protectionby spreading the corresponding granules in the vineyard. The mosquitoes lay their eggs directly inaphid coloniesAphids. The hatching larvae bite the aphids and suck them out. One larva can consume up to 50 aphids. After about two weeks, the larvae drop to the ground, penetrate flat and pupate there. A short time later, the adult animals hatch and the cycle starts again. See also undervine enemies.
Pictures: © W. Neudorff GmbH KG
