leslie_flint's Favorites

Host: Artemisia tridentata. Unlike anything represented for this host in Russo (Plant Galls of the Western US, 2021.) Very likely a midge however given the astonishing diversity of midge galls known to occur on this host plant.

Scattered small groups of stalked sporangia to 2.5 mm tall. Sporotheca obovate, 0.7–1 mm diameter, at first pale brown with faint lines of dehiscence, then dark brown before drying to chestnut brown. Stalk 1.5 mm, longitudinally furrowed, dark brown. Hypothallus thick, brown and yellow, furrowed like an extension of the stalk. Peridium double, the outer layer thick, with absorbed particles; inner layer has a geometric pattern.
Elaters unbranched, 5 µm wide with smooth spirals, tapering to a long point. Spores (and elaters) dull yellow in mass, colourless by transmitted light, minutely spiny, 10–11 µm.

first adult seen at this site (west crissy bluffs) that wasn't released as an adult. part of a captive breeding program with SF Zoo. This individual emerged on site, but was released as a nymph last fall, or is progeny of last year's released animals. several females seen too, but not photographed