Diadiplosis queenslandi Kolesik, sp. nov., a New Species of Gall Midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Predatory on Mealybug Planococcus Ferris, 1950 (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a Pest of Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum (Ericaceae) in Australia

Abstract

Larvae of a previously undescribed species of gall midge were found preying on nymphs of a mealybug infesting flower buds of blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum in a production orchard in Queensland, Australia. Using ribosomal 28S gene segment sequence, the mealybug pest was identified as belonging to a species complex Planococcus citri / P. minor (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). The new gall midge is named Diadiplosis queenslandi Kolesik, sp. nov. , morphology of its larvae, pupae and adults is described and a COI mitochondrial gene segment is sequenced. The new species is considered a potential natural pest control agent.