Winged gall dissection

Description:

This study of Gall forming Eriococcidae insect reveals pic 1 closely fitting inside chamber. Head position is anterior (nearer to top) pic 2 appearance of retaining pupal features pic 3 minute residual legs (posterior right leg shown here). pic 4 poorly developed head,eyes, antennae. pic 5 wing buds lacking development. pic 6 yellow mites associated with outside of the gall.

Habitat:

This gall inducing hemipteran bug is severely restricted in the development of adult structures and retains many of the pupal characteristics (paedomorphism).

Notes:

This insect lives entirely within a plant gall illustrated here http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/127...