Semudobia tarda

Semudobia tarda

Description

The larvae of the gall midge Semudobia tarda cause galls to form in the catkins of Birch (Betula species).  The gall is in the fruit, and is rounded, c. 2,, diameter, with a polished surface and hairs only at apex; the wings of the fruit are almost completely absent.    The 'window-pit' is absent or indistinct on this gall - compare S betulae.

Similar Species

Semudobia betulae and Semudobia skuhravae also form small galls in birch catkins

Identification difficulty

Gall Adult

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

Tease the catkins apart to see the galls - it helps to do this under a microscope

Recording advice

Close photos of the gall in the fruit

Habitat

Where the host trees occur.

When to see it

When Betula seeds are present in mature catkins in summer; old galls may also be found in previous year's catkins retained on the tree over winter. 

UK Status

It is difficult to determine the status in Britain due to lack of records.

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

No additional images available for this species.

All NatureSpot records