A gall midge inhabiting the figs of Ficus benjamina in Xishuangbanna, south-western China

摘要

A new species of gall midge belonging to an undescribed genus (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is recorded for the first time inhabiting the figs of Ficus benjamina in Xishuangbanna, south-western China. The gall midge larvae develop inside galled ovules and were present in over 86% of the figs, averaging 68 +/- S.E 6.5 galls per fig. Figs containing the midge produced fewer seeds and almost no fig wasps. Consequently, it had a major impact on both partners in the fig tree-fig wasp mutualism.