The larvae of the gall midge Geocrypta galii produce smooth, spherical galls of a pinkish, greenish or even fully reddish appearance within the nodes of Lady’s Bedstraw and Hedge Bedstraw and may occur in large numbers where present.  The galls can fuse together and encircle the stem. A single larva is found in each growth and is orange in colour. The galls turn brown with age and have an outer covering of short, shiny hairs.

Gall Adult

Gall: Please provide a photograph of the gall and also state the host species in the ‘comments’ section when adding your record.

Galls may be found where the host species Lady’s Bedstraw or Hedge Bedstraw are present.

Summer and early autumn.

The larvae escape through a side opening in the gall and pupate in the soil.

Local throughout Britain.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.