In the past, Rhopalomyia longitubifex, Rhopalomyia shinjii, and Rhopalomyia sp. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) have been regarded as independent species based on differences in the sizes and shapes of axillary bud galls induced on Artemisia montana (Asteraceae) in Japan and A. princeps in Japan and Korea. However, comparison of morphological features and molecular sequencing data indicate that these Rhopalomyia gall midges are identical and that the differences in gall shape are polymorphisms, although the measurements of gall height and diameter overlap slightly. This finding suggests that although galls have frequently been regarded as extensions of the phenotype of a species, differences in gall shape may not always be reliable for identifying gall-inducing cecidomyiids. The older name, R. longitubifex, is applied to these gall midges, and the names that were applied to this species on later occasions are revised or synonymized. The mature and immature stages of R. longitubifex are redescribed and information on the distribution, host range, and gall size of this species is provided. We also discuss the role of gall polymorphism in the early stages of speciation.
A total of 52 gall-inducing species of Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) (53 in the sorts of midge gall, because one polyphagous species was included)were recognized to occur in the Korean Peninsula (including surrounding islands) through literature survey, field surveys by Dr. K. Yamagishi and ourselves, and by examining photographs of arthropod galls taken by the late Prof. W.-H. Paik and one of us, JCP. The previous and current identification of these Korean gall midges relied largely upon their gall morph and host plant species that correspond to those of Japanese gall midges. The identification of these gall midges was considered to be mostly reliable, because recent DNA analysis suggested that some South Korean gall midges were identical with Japanese gall midges when they induce the same sorts of gall on the same host plants as those in Japan. At the moment, 47 (88.7 %) out of the 53 sorts of Korean midge galls were commonto Japan. This means that more numerousmidge galls will be detected in the
In 2001, subconical galls were found on the leaves of an alien Artemisia species (Asteraceae) in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. These galls were quite similar to those induced by Rhopalomyia yomogicola (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on Artemisia princeps, Artemisia montana, and Artemisia japonica in Japan. The morphological features of the pupal head and molecular sequencing data indicated that the gall midge from the alien Artemisia was identical to R. yomogicola. Usually, galling insects do not expand readily their host range to alien plants, but R. yomogicola is considered to have expanded its host range to the alien Artemisia by its multivoltine life history trait and oligophagous habit across two different botanical sections of the genus Artemisia. Adult abdominal tergites and sternites and immature stages of R. yomogicola are described for the first time and detailed biological information is presented.
A gall midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) that was previously misidentified as Epimyia sp. has been known as a serious pest of chrysanthemum (Asteraceae) cultivated for ornamental and medical purposes in China. Based on DNA sequencing data and morphological features, we concluded that this gall midge belongs to the genus Rhopalomyia and is identical to gall midges collected from Chrysanthemum indicum on Jeju Island, Korea and in Hubei Province, China. We describe the gall midge as a new species, Rhopalomyia longicauda, and provide details of the host range, gall shape, distribution, life history, and pest status. We also urgently warn those who are responsible for growing chrysanthemums against importing potentially infested plants into Japan or Korea (except Jeju Island).
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