Earomyia impossibile Morge und Earomyia grusia Morge (Diptera: Lonchaeidae), Schädlinge der Tannenzapfen und -samen (Abies alba Mill.) in Rumänien.

Abstract

As part of a study of insects attacking fir (Abies alba Mill.), the two species of Earomyia impossibile Morge and grusia Morge, were examined in detail and established for the first time in Roumania. The female of Earomyia impossibile, not described in detail so far, is characterized by its ovipositor. Both species were found to be specific for fir cones. Their relatively great abundance and their vast area of distribution suggest placing them after Resseliella piceae Seitner and Megastigmus suspectus Borries. Their larval period lasts about three months. One larva destroys on an average three fir seeds. The change in to a pupa takes place in the ground or under the cone scales which drop off with the pupae. The imagines fly in the second half of May when the flowers are formed.