Dasineura populeti

The larvae of the gall midge Dasineura populeti cause galls to form on the leaves of some Poplar species.  The host is nearly always Aspen, Populus tremula, but very rarely Populus alba or P x canescens are used. The leaf margins roll upwards to form the galls and these may contain the white midge larvae.  Identification of the species causing the gall is difficult, and unless the larvae have been bred through and the adults identified, the identification of species cannot be confirmed (see also 'Similar Species' section below).   The NatureSpot records to date have not been bred through to adult stage, so the identification Dasineura populeti isnt confirmed.

Contarinia tremulae larvae are also white, and create similar galls on Aspen.  The larvae of Contarinia tremulae 'jump' whilst those of Dasineura populeti do not jump, but this alone is not believed to be sufficient to separate the two species at the larval stage.

Adult Gall

When recording the gall, the larvae must be found photographed, and also observed to see whether they display the ability to 'jump'.

Please provide photographs of the galls, the larvae and state the host plant when adding a record.

Associated mainly with vigorous stands of young Aspen plants, the gall mainly occurs on strongly growing shoots with large leaves.

Summer and early autumn.

Several generations per year; pupation in the ground.

Status in Britain is difficult to determine due to problems with identification and lack of records.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland is difficult to determine due to problems with identification and lack of records.

https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/diptera/nematocera/cecidomyiidae/cecidomyiinae/lasiopteridi/dasineurini/dasineura/dasineura-populeti/