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The small, unilocular galls arc situated on the midrib and sometimes petiole of the host plant.
They protrude more strongly on the underside of the vein, although are noticable on the upper
surface due to their red colouration where exposed to sunlight.
Aulacidea pilosellae
This species is confined to areas of short
turf where the host plant is not out-
competed by more vigorous vegetation. In
areas such as churchyards and quarries
P. officinarum can be common, forming
dense mats over large areas. The galls of
A. pilosellae, however, are usually present
at low density and can require a prolonged
search on hands and knees to locate them.
In contrast to some of the species
mentioned above, the survival of
A. pilosellae relies on regular mowing or
grazing of the sward to promote conditions
suitable for the host plant. It is also
threatened by grassland improvement
eradicating the host plant.
Adult A. pilosellae have the scutellar foveae deep and round and the radial cell more than twice
as long as broad. The head when viewed anteriorly is narrowly trapezoid in shape. The third
antennal segment is at most equal in length to the fourth. The face has weak radiating striae.
Aulacidea tragopogonis (Thomson, 1877) lkm.sq. records: 6 Scarce Fig.4
Host Plant: Tragopogon pratensis L., Goatsbeard
Aulacidea tragopogonis
Galls may occur singly on the lower stem
or, more usually, as a larger aggregation at
the stem root junction. Virtually all records
are from roadside verges where the host
plant is often common. The galls are often
hidden amongst other vegetation and litter
making it likely that the species is under-
recorded. In colour they are pale green to
whitish yellow, turning brown at maturity.
The position of the galls means that they
can survive verge cutting to quite a short
sward, the goatsbeard often producing a
second flush of flowers after such
treatment
The adult has shallow scutellar foveae and
the radial cell twice as long as broad. The
head is trapezoid when viewed anteriorly
and the temples are not expanded behind
the eves.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 16 (1999)