A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Rhopalomyia solidaginis
This gall is formed by the larvae of a midge fly, which secretes a chemical that inhibits the growth of the stem but not the leaves. It has been referred to as an "ecosystem engineer", due to the abundance of arthropods that will take up residence in these formations.
urban park
These midges are monogenous, meaning females will only produce offspring of a single sex during their lifetime. This is a reproductive mechanism that prevents inbreeding, by assuring siblings are unable to reproduce.
Spotted on Sep 20, 2013
Submitted on Sep 24, 2013
No Comments