Fruit galls on Berberis chitriya produced by Lasioptera sp. (Cecidomyiidae: Diptera) from Garhwal Himalayas

The present work deals with the study of formation of fruit galls by the gall-midge Lasioptera sp. on the host Berberis chitriya. The study includes emergence, sex- ratio, mating, oviposition and various life-history stages of the midge. The infestation of Berberis chitriya by Lasioptera sp. has been observed to coincide with mating and oviposition period with incubation period ranging from 70 to 76 hours. The four larva instars are observed in the sexual life-cycle of the gall-midge. Due to larval feeding the fruits become deformed and smaller.