Chirosia grossicauda explained

Chirosia grossicauda is a species of fly found in Europe. The larvae mine the lower rachis of bracken causing a swelling, known as a gall.

Lifecycle

A white maggot mines the central vein of the pinnule (a secondary division of a frond of bracken) causing the tip to roll downwards. The larva probably pupate in the gall, but are likely to fall out when the fronds wither and fall to the ground, pupating in the leaf litter.^{[1] [2]}

Parasites

Larva of Trybliographa ciliaris are endoparasitoid of the larvae of Chirosia grossicauda.^[3]

Distribution

In Europe the fly is found from Ireland to Russia and from the Iberian Peninsula to Scandinavia.^[4] It has also been recorded in South Africa.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Book: Chinery . Michael . Michael Chinery . Britain's Plant Galls. A photographic guide . 2011 . WildGuides . Old Basing . 978-190365743-0 . 75.
2. Book: Redfern. Margaret. Shirley. Peter. Bloxham. Michael. British Plant Galls. 2023. FSC Publications. Shrewsbury. 978-1-85153-284-1. 232. Third.
3. Web site: iNaturalist . Chirosia grossicauda . 1 August 2023.
4. Web site: Ellis . W N . Chirosia grossicauda Strobl, 1899 on Pteridium . Plant Parasites of Europe . 1 August 2023.
5. Web site: Chirosia grossicauda Strobl, 1899 . Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) . 1 August 2023.