Bionomics of Three Closely Related Species of Contarinia Rond. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) from Douglas-fir Needles

Abstract

Incidence of damage to needles of Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, by larvae of gall midges has been noted in British Columbia since 1935. In 1953 severe midge damage to Douglas fir occurred in sections of British Columbia, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Outside of brief and general reference to these gall midges in literature and in unpublished notes, almost nothing was known of their biology, and the species remained undescribed. Relatively little interest has been shown these insects until recent years, when severe infestations in southeastern British Columbia affected the sale of Douglas fir for use as Christmas trees.