Wachtliella persicariae

Wachtliella persicariae

Description

The larva of the gall midge Wachtliella persicariae causes galls to form on various plants of the Polygonaceae family including Amphibious Bistort and Redshank. The gall takes the form of marginal rolls, usually on both sides of the leaf which become markedly thickened and often spirally or otherwise contorted. Often several leaves at the shoot tip are affected. 

Similar Species

Other species can cause leaf rolls on Persicaria species, but never as thickened. 

Identification difficulty

Gall  Adult

Habitat

Where the host plants grow.

When to see it

Galls occur from July to September.

UK Status

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

VC55 Status

Thought to be fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records