Chilophaga n.sp.
Switchgrass Gall Fly

Last modified, 13 September 2009
Contents © P.J. Johnson, 2008-2009

This interesting little fly of the family Cecidomyidae is a new discovery by scientists at South Dakota State University.  Illustrated are larvae.  The adult stage was reared from larvae supplied by the SDSU scientists and was determined to be a new and undescribed species of Chilophaga.  Dr. Ray Gagné, retired USDA-ARS-SEL fly taxonomist, is the specialist working on this interesting fly which is new to science, undescribed, and unnamed.  The larvae are found in groups upwards of 40 or more per group in the apical internode of switchgrass. Their feeding damages the internal tissues of the internode, including the rachis base of the developing inflorescence.  This causes a 100% loss of seed production by the death of the inflorescence.  

Thus far field observations indicate that the greatest incidence of this gall fly is on those varieties of switchgrass are are larger in size and bulk, and latest blooming.