DESCRIPTION: A gall midge is responsible for these galls which are found on the buds or in the seed pods but never in great numbers. The bud gall starts as an oval green swelling with a pointed tip found in early summer and contains 1 larva. Pupation takes place within the gall with all adults emerging and heading straight for the opening flowers. Eggs are laid in the flowers and as a result the seedpods become galled. These galls are oval in shape and found near the base of the pod. The resulting adults lay their eggs in fresh buds which hatch the following spring. A fungus is involved in the gall causing process but seems to not to provide nourishment for the larva. DISTRIBUTION: Local throughout Britain. HABITAT: Found on varieties of Broom.
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