Growth on cut leaf coneflower - Ask Extension
I have a strange growth on my cut leaf coneflower. A month ago the leaves were curling and the flower looked stunted. I sprayed with need oil. Then ...
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Growth on cut leaf coneflower #879355
Asked July 29, 2024, 11:41 PM EDT
I have a strange growth on my cut leaf coneflower. A month ago the leaves were curling and the flower looked stunted. I sprayed with need oil. Then I saw this growth on one of the flowers. When I cut the growth there were some small worms/larve. What is this? Not sure if it’s aster yellow or mites. Help!
Lake County Ohio
Expert Response
Good afternoon and thank you for your question. I believe this is a gall midge, a type of fly which is causing this distortion to your coneflowers. The species of fly is Asphondylia rudbeckiaeconspicua https://arcadianatives.com/native-plant-profiles-2/cutleaf-coneflower/#:~:text=PESTS%2FDISEASES&text=Occasionally%2C%20Rudbeckia%20Gall%20Midges%20(Asphondylia,overall%20health%20of%20the%20plant
Remove and destroy the galls as soon as you see them begin to form to reduce populations.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thanks.
Remove and destroy the galls as soon as you see them begin to form to reduce populations.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thanks.
