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Home BYGL Bug Bytes May 1, 2008 RAINING MAGGOTS
RAINING MAGGOTS PDF Print E-mail

Dave Dyke remarked that he had gotten reports of "white Mexican jumping beans" falling from a pin oak tree.  These are the larvae of the OAK FLOWER MIDGE (Contarinina spp.).

The adults emerge and lay clusters of eggs in the flower bracts of the pin oaks.  As the oval, 1/16" long white larvae develop, they feed on the flowers and may crawl onto the unfurling leaves.  However, unlike other gall midges, these maggots do not damage the leaves, but flip off of the leaves and land on the ground to pupate.  This action, which has been referred to as "raining maggots" or "raining Mexican jumping beans" is often disconcerting because they fall in great numbers.  The following spring the midges emerge as adults, mate, and continue the cycle once again.

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Last Updated ( Thursday, 01 May 2008 18:09 )
 

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