gall midge


noun

any of several dipterous insects of the family Cecidomyiidae, the larvae of which form characteristic galls on plants.
Also called gall gnat.

Origin of gall midge

First recorded in 1900–05

Example sentences from the Web for gall gnat

  • Larva of Gall-midge (Contarinia nasturtii), ventral view showing anchor process (a), and spiracles projecting at sides.

    The Life-Story of Insects |Geo. H. Carpenter

British Dictionary definitions for gall gnat

gall midge

noun

any of various small fragile mosquito-like dipterous flies constituting the widely distributed family Cecidomyidae, many of which have larvae that produce galls on plants Also called: gallfly, gall gnat See also Hessian fly