Linden gall midge

The linden gall midge (Contarinia tiliarum) is a species of dipteran insect belonging to the family Cecidomyiidae. It is a well-known pest that specifically targets lime trees (Tilia species), inducing the formation of characteristic galls on the leaves and stalks.

The primary hosts for this pest are various species of Linden. The midge larvae feed inside the plant tissues, stimulating the host to produce abnormal outgrowths known as galls, which provide both shelter and nutrition for the developing larvae throughout their larval stage.

The biological cycle is strictly seasonal. The species overwinters as pupae in the soil underneath the host tree. Adult midges emerge in the spring, coinciding with the flushing of new linden leaves, where they lay their eggs into the developing soft tissues.

The damage caused by the linden gall midge includes deformation of leaves and premature leaf fall. While it rarely threatens the life of a mature tree, heavy infestations can lead to significant aesthetic damage, reducing the ornamental value of lime trees in urban landscapes.

Effective management strategies include the following:

• Maintaining strict garden hygiene by removing and destroying fallen infested leaves.
• Cultivating the soil beneath the tree canopy during the winter to disrupt pupation sites.
• Applying insecticide treatments during the emergence of adults or early leaf development.
• Encouraging natural predators and parasitoids that help regulate midge populations in forest and park ecosystems.