Iteomyia capreae

Iteomyia capreae

Description

Iteomyia capreae is a gall midge that causes galls to form on the leaves of sallows (Salix). The galls are small, and usually on the leaf surface forming a hard pouch, domed above and conical below, with a circular red-rimmed opening below; greenish, becoming yellow, brown, purple or red without hairs inside. Occasionally the galls are in side vein which become swollen and hard.

Contains a larva which is white when young; later orange or red.

Similar Species

Iteomyia major forms larger galls in coalesced groups associated with the midrib and side veins.  Several species or mite and sawfly cause galls on sallows, and are superficially similar.

Identification difficulty

Gall  Adult

ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)

Check the underside for the red-rimmed opening.

Recording advice

Photo of underside as well as upperside

Habitat

Where the host species occur.

When to see it

Whenever willow species are in leaf.

UK Status

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.

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