Thistle Gall Fly

Urophora cardui

Description

Over all length 6 - 8mm. A black-bodied fly with a pale head and a white scutellum. The wings are white with a black-W on them.

Habitat

Meadows, hedgerows and woodland edges. The female lays her eggs in the stems of Creeping Thistles Cirsium arvense, where they form characteristic galls in which the larvae develop.

Status and distribution

Restricted to the south and east of England, where it can be quite common. The galls are regularly seen on the reserve.

Best time to see

May to August.

  • Thistle Gall Fly - Urophora cardui - male - July 5th 2016

  • Thistle Gall Fly - Urophora cardui - male - July 5th 2016

  • Thistle Gall Fly - Urophora cardui - male - June 20th 2016

  • Thistle Gall Fly - Urophora cardui - male - June 20th 2016

  • Thistle Gall Fly - Urophora cardui - male - July 5th 2016

  • Thistle Gall Fly - Urophora cardui - female - June 24th 2021

  • Thistle Gall Fly - Urophora cardui - female - June 24th 2021

  • Thistle Gall Fly - Urophora cardui - female - June 24th 2021

  • Thistle Gall Fly - Urophora cardui - Gall - July 25th 2016.